From Campus to Conspiracy: How Al Falah University Hired Red Fort Blast-Linked Doctors Without Police Checks

Faridabad-based Al Falah University appointed at least three doctors, two later arrested by the National Investigation Agency and another identified as an alleged suicide bomber in the November 2025 Red

Fort area blast, without conducting mandatory police verification or background scrutiny, the Enforcement Directorate has said. The findings form part of a money laundering probe against the university’s promoter, with the agency citing statements from senior executives and faculty members in a chargesheet filed before a Delhi court on Friday.Quoting the ED chargesheet, officials told PTI that doctors at the medical college were employed "on paper" and were listed under a "22 days punch" or "two days per week" clause to be represented as regular faculty "just to obtain" requisite approvals from the National Medical Commission (NMC) so that the healthcare facility runs uninterrupted.The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University told the ED that the doctors reported to be involved in terror-related activities -- Dr Muzammil Ganaie, a junior resident in general medicine department since October 2021; Dr Shaheen Saeed, an associate professor in pharmacology since October 2021, and Dr Umar Nabi, the alleged suicide bomber and an assistant professor in general medicine since May 2024 -- were appointed during her tenure.She informed the agency that these appointments were, however, "recommended" by the varsity's HR head and "approved" by 61-year-old Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, following which she issued formal appointment letters. The V-C is also understood to have told the ED that "no police verification or scrutiny" was conducted during the appointment of these doctors.Also Read: Delhi Red Fort Blast: Masterminds Dr Shaheen, Dr Muzammil and Dr Adeel Sent to 3-Day NIA Custody

'On paper' doctors under scanner

It is alleged that the specialists, who were on the pay roll of the medical college, were listed in documents as "on paper doctors", "22 days punch" and "two days per week", but in reality, they neither attended college on a regular basis nor took classes or attended to patients at its hospital. The "on paper" doctors are employed only for the purpose of obtaining NMC clearance and other regulatory inspections, the ED is understood to have claimed in the chargesheet, based on findings from the faculty members.The "on paper staff" of the medical college were in clear knowledge of their status and their terms of employment were "under control" of Siddiqui. He has allegedly provided "fake" work experience certificates to some of them, as per ED findings. The agency also claimed that the financial terms of certain consultants, appointed as associate professors and senior faculty members in the paediatrics and neonatology departments, linked remuneration and appraisal to occupancy levels in critical care units "irrespective" of clinical necessity. The agency found that Siddiqui continued to "defraud" NMC even during its last inspection of the medical college in June 2025, following which it was granted permission to increase MBBS seats from 150 to 200. These "on paper" doctors were paid "significantly" lower salaries compared to other doctors of the same designation within the same department, the ED is understood to have found.It is evident, the ED is stated to have concluded, that several doctors were hired on a temporary basis to meet requirements during regulatory inspections and even those working in the Al Falah medical college had multiple fraudulent employment terms.The court is yet to take cognisance of the ED chargesheet.The explosives-laden car blast near Delhi's Red Fort area on November 10 last year killed 15 people and injured several others. Nabi was stated to have been driving the car and was killed in the blast, while Ganaie and Saeed were arrested by the NIA. They, along with some others, are currently in judicial custody.(With PTI inputs)