ED raids 25 sites tied to Al-Falah University as Red Fort blast probe widens

The Enforcement Directorate on November 18 launched coordinated searches across 25 locations in Delhi and the NCR linked to Al-Falah University, intensifying the financial probe triggered by the November 10 Red Fort car blast.

The Haryana-based private university came under scrutiny after three of its doctors were identified as suspects in the deadly explosion that killed 13 people and injured several near the historic monument.

The raids began days after the Central government ordered a forensic audit of all Al-Falah University records, following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to assess the investigation’s progress.

ED teams are examining what officials describe as a network of “nine shell companies” allegedly tied to the Al-Falah group — all registered at a single address and suspected of facilitating financial irregularities and possible money-laundering.

Early findings, sources said, point to “multiple red flags consistent with shell-company behaviour,” including: no physical presence or utility usage at declared business locations; common mobile numbers and emails across companies; absence of EPFO/ESIC filings despite claimed scale; overlapping directors and weak KYC trails; minimal salary disbursals; lack of HR documentation; and synchronised incorporation patterns.

In addition to financial discrepancies, investigators are also reviewing what they call prima facie “inconsistencies” in the university’s claims regarding UGC and NAAC recognition. These concerns have triggered fresh scrutiny by both regulators.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has summoned Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman and founder of Al-Falah University, seeking documents related to accreditation and funding of the Al-Falah Charitable Trust and its nine affiliated bodies — including the Al-Falah Medical Research Foundation, where blast suspects Umar Nabi and Muzammil Ganai worked.

Amid the mounting allegations, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended Al-Falah University’s membership, citing concerns over its “good standing,” and has directed the institution to remove AIU’s name and logo from all platforms with immediate effect.

The expansive ED action underscores a rapidly widening investigation, as agencies piece together financial, operational and personnel links surrounding an attack that has shaken the national capital’s security establishment.