ED Accuses Chancellor of Forged Land Deal in Delhi
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused Al-Falah University chancellor Javed Ahmed Siddiqui of grabbing land in Delhi’s Madanpur Khadar using forged papers. Moreover, the agency said that Siddiqui transferred land in Khasra No. 792 to the Tarbia Education Foundation, a trust linked to him, through a fake General Power of Attorney (GPA).
A GPA lets one person act, sign and take decisions for another in legal and financial matters. However, the ED found that several landowners named on the papers had died between 1972 and 1998. Yet a GPA dated January 7, 2004, was created in their names. The agency said that this forged document became the base for the transfer.
ED officials stressed that the land deal was fraudulent. Additionally, they said that the forged GPA was used to reregister the property under the trust controlled by Siddiqui. The chancellor is now in ED custody as the investigation moves forward.
Arrest Linked to Larger Probe Into Delhi Car Blast
The case gained momentum after the November 10 i20 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort. Three professors linked to Al-Falah University came under scrutiny for alleged links to a terror module. Moreover, the ED arrested Siddiqui on November 18 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Before the arrest, the ED conducted search operations at several locations related to the Al-Falah group. Officers analysed documents, financial statements and digital data. They said that the evidence revealed patterns of suspicious activity connected to Siddiqui.
The ED also raided the Al-Falah University campus in Faridabad, the group’s Okhla office and properties owned by its promoters. Additionally, officers raided 25 different sites across Delhi, expanding the investigation into the blast case. Nine shell firms linked to the group are now under probe. Each firm was registered at the same address, which raised further suspicion.
The alleged mastermind of the terror module, Dr Umar Un Nabi, once studied at Al-Falah University. The link has pushed investigators to explore how several individuals associated with the institution became involved in criminal activities.
Fake Accreditation Claims Triggered Initial Investigation
The ED launched the money laundering probe after two FIRs by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. The FIRs accused Al-Falah University of making false claims about NAAC accreditation. According to the complaints, the university misled students, parents and stakeholders by projecting itself as NAAC-certified.
Moreover, the FIR stated that the university falsely claimed recognition under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956. This section allows eligible institutions to receive grants. However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) clarified that Al-Falah University is listed only under Section 2(f) as a State Private University. The institution never applied for inclusion under Section 12(B) and is not eligible for grants.
The ED said that these misleading claims show a pattern of fraud at multiple levels. Additionally, investigators believe that financial crimes, including land scams and forged paperwork, were part of a larger strategy to gain unlawful benefits.
Officials are now checking whether the forged land deal was linked to wider assets controlled by Siddiqui. They also aim to trace people who helped prepare the fake papers. Moreover, the agency is reviewing old transactions to find out how much money was moved through the shell firms.
What the Investigation Means for the Al-Falah Group
Authorities said that the probe may widen in the coming weeks. They will question staff, trust members and individuals who managed land transfers. Additionally, they will analyse digital records to identify people who created the forged GPA.
The ED believes that the fraudulent land deal reveals deeper issues within the Al-Falah group. They suspect that forged documents, misleading claims and shell firms helped the group expand its influence. Moreover, the alleged links to individuals involved in the Delhi blast have added more urgency to the case.
Investigators expect to file more charges after they complete the financial trail analysis. Meanwhile, Siddiqui will remain in custody as the interrogation continues.