Al Falah Group Chairman Arrested in UGC Cheating and Forgery Case
In a significant development, Delhi Police's crime branch has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the chairman of the Al Falah group, in a case of cheating and forgery registered based on a complaint filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This arrest adds another layer to the ongoing investigations surrounding the controversial Al Falah University.
Multiple Legal Troubles for the University Chairman
Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was arrested on January 27 and has been taken on a four-day police remand for interrogation, according to a senior police officer. This is not his first encounter with law enforcement agencies. He was previously arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a separate case, highlighting the multiple legal challenges facing the educational institution's leadership.
University Under Scanner for Terror Links and Irregularities
The university first came under intense scrutiny when it was revealed that Umar Un Nabi, the Delhi bomber, was working as a professor at the institution. This connection triggered further investigations by national agencies.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested other doctors from the university during investigations into the Red Fort blast case
- Jammu and Kashmir Police also made arrests related to the seizure of explosives from Faridabad involving university personnel
- The university operates from Dhauj in Haryana's Faridabad district and maintains a hospital on its premises
Police Action and FIR Details
Delhi Police's crime branch had filed two FIRs against the university in November and conducted simultaneous searches at its premises in both Delhi and Faridabad. The police had formally issued notices to the university administration requesting crucial documents as part of their investigation.
"The first FIR has been lodged for violations under Section 12, while the second FIR pertains to alleged false accreditation claims made by the university," explained a senior police officer involved in the case.
Regulatory Actions by UGC and NAAC
The police action followed serious complaints and actions initiated by two major educational regulatory bodies:
- University Grants Commission (UGC): Filed the initial complaint that led to the cheating and forgery case against the university chairman
- National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC): Flagged serious irregularities in their assessment and inquiry report, and issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University for displaying false accreditation information on its official website
The NAAC notice specifically stated that the university was neither accredited nor had applied for accreditation with the council, yet displayed incorrect accreditation information publicly.
Enforcement Directorate's Parallel Investigation
In a parallel development on January 16, the Enforcement Directorate attached properties worth approximately Rs 140 crore belonging to the university. This included land and buildings associated with the institution. The ED has also filed a chargesheet against Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui and his charitable trust, indicating the financial dimensions of the investigation.
The case continues to develop as multiple agencies coordinate their investigations into the various allegations against Al Falah University and its leadership.
