Jawad Ahmed, Al-Falah University Founder, Arrested in Major Crackdown on White-Collar Terror Module Case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested founder of Al Falah University Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in a money laundering case related to Al Falah Charitable Trust."Directorate of Enforcement (ED), has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman of Al Falah group, under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act," ED said in a statement on Monday.The arrest took place today following a detailed investigation and analysis of evidences gathered during search action conducted at premises related to Al Falah group in the ongoing probe in an ECIR recorded by the ED under PMLA in connection with the Al Falah Group."ED initiated investigation against Al Falah group on the basis of 2 FIRs registered by the Crime Branch, Delhi Police,

based on the allegations that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, has made fraudulent and misleading claims of NAAC accreditation with an intention to deceive students, parents, and stakeholders for wrongful gain. It has been further mentioned in FIR that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, has falsely claimed UGC recognition under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 with oblique motive to cheat the aspirants, students, parents, guardians, stakeholders and general public to gain wrongfully and cause wrongful loss to them," ED said.In a coordinated enforcement operation at 5:15 AM today, officials executed search actions at over 25 premises connected to the Al-Falah group, in Delhi NCR. The operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities, use of shell companies, accommodation entities and money laundering.The role of Al-Falah Trust and related entities is under investigation. Key personnel overseeing finance and administration have also been covered. Nine shell companies linked to the group, all registered at a single address, are under examination. Early findings point to multiple risk indicators consistent with shell-company behaviour, including:▪ 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 inconsistent with reported scale of operations.▪ Overlapping directors/signatories and weak KYC trails across entities.▪ Minimal salary disbursal through banking channels and absence of HR records.▪ Synchronized incorporation patterns and common contact coordinates across firms. In addition, prima facie discrepancies have been noted in claims regarding UGC and NAAC recognition. These aspects are being examined with the concerned authorities.The UGC clarified that Al-Falah University is included only under Section 2(f) as a State Private University, has never applied for inclusion under Section 12(B), and is not eligible for grants under that provision.Al-Falah Charitable Trust was constituted by a public charitable trust deed dated 08.09.1995, with Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui named as one of the first trustees and designated as the Managing Trustee.All the educational institutions (university and colleges) are ultimately owned and financially consolidated under this trust, which is effectively controlled by Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui.The entire Al-Falah group has seen a meteoric rise since the 1990s metamorphosing into a large educational body. However, the rise is not backed by adequate financials.ED has conducted search operations at 19 locations in Delhi today i.e. on 18.11.2025 including the premises of Al Falah university and residential premises of key persons of Al Falah group.ED investigation has revealed that large amounts of proceeds of crime have been generated. Evidence reveals that crores of rupees have been diverted by the trust to family owned entities. For example, the construction as well as catering contracts were given by trust/Jawad Ahmad to entities of his wife and children.During search, cash of over 48 lakhs, multiple digital devices and documentary evidence were found and seized. Multiple shell companies of the group have been identified. Numerous violations under several other Acts have also been detected.The role of Mr Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui in effectively controlling the trust and its activities, has been brought out by multiple pieces of evidence. Exhaustive evidence including recovery of cash from trustees’ diversion of funds to family concern, layering of funds etc. clearly establish the pattern of generation and layering of proceeds of crime.After establishing his culpability in the offence, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was arrested today i.e. 18/11/2025 under Section 19 of the PMLA, 2002, after following due legal procedure. He has been produced before Hon’ble Court for the purpose of seeking ED remand.Further investigation is under progress.