New Delhi: In the biggest crackdown yet in the Delhi terror attack investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday tracked down Al Falah University founder Javed Ahmed Siddiqui after he went untraceable when searches first began. Since early morning, ED teams have been conducting raids across 25 locations in Delhi, Faridabad and other places in a case linked to terror funding, radicalisation and suspicious financial transactions.
The searches were carried out under warrants issued by the NIA and the FIRs. As per sources, the raids began at 5 AM and involved the university’s trustees, associated individuals and linked entities.
Focus on Suspicious Transactions, Terror Links
A forensic audit of the university has been ordered, and the ED officials are examining alleged irregular financial activities at Al Falah University, which has been under scrutiny since four accused terrorist doctors in the Delhi blast case were found to have connections with the institution. Bomber Dr Umar Nabi was also associated with the university and was reportedly on the campus on October 30, just days before the explosive-laden car exploded outside the Red Fort on November 10, killing 12 people.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch will also question Al Falah University founder, who was tracked down this morning, in connection with two FIRs registered against the university, according to the Delhi Police sources. The Crime Branch has registered two separate cases against Al Falah University. The cases have been filed under charges of cheating and forgery. First FIR mentioned that the institution lured students into admissions by falsely claiming a UGC 12B certificate on its official website. The second FIR is related to the university accepting admissions despite its National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation having expired in 2018.
ED Reaches Al Falah Trust Office in Okhla
This morning, one of the major raids took place at the Al Falah Trust’s headquarters in Okhla, Delhi, which oversees nine organisations, including the Al Falah Medical Research Foundation – where blast suspects Umar Nabi and Muzammil worked. This foundation, located on the university’s 70-acre campus in Faridabad’s Dhauj village, is now a key focus of the terror probe.
Al-Falah Trust Under Scanner: Key Risk Indicators
As the probe into the terror attack outside the Red Fort in the National Capital widened, the role of the Al-Falah Trust and its associated entities has come under intense scrutiny. The investigative officials are looking into the details of key personnel responsible for the finance and administration of the university trust, sources indicate.
A significant part of the probe is focused on nine alleged shell companies linked to the group, all reportedly registered at a single, common address. Preliminary investigation has highlighted multiple risk indicators consistent with shell-company behaviour across these entities. As per sources, these indicators include –
- No physical presence or meaningful utility consumption at declared places of business.
- Common mobile number and email across various companies and accounts; absence of EPFO/ESIC filings is inconsistent with the reported scale of operations.
- Overlapping directors/signatories and weak KYC trails across entities.
- Minimal salary disbursal through banking channels and absence of HR records.
- Synchronised incorporation patterns and common contact coordinates across firms.
- Bomber Umar’s Key Aide Aamir Sent To 10-Day NIA Custody, Another Aide Arrested
Earlier on Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced Delhi Red Fort car blast bomber Dr Umar Nabi’s key aide Aamir, before the special NIA court at Patiala House. The court had sent her to a 10-day custody. Aamir was arrested during the massive raids conducted by the police right after the car explosion took place near Delhi’s Red Fort late on November 10, killing 12 people. The hearing was conducted in-camera, with entry restricted due to the sensitive nature of the case.
In another significant breakthrough, the NIA arrested another key associate of Umar Nabi – Jasir. Jasir Bilal Wani had allegedly ‘provided technical support for carrying out terror attacks by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets’ ahead of the car blast. All known as Danish, Kashmiri resident Jasir was arrested in Srinagar.
