ED Arrests Al Falah University Chairman in ₹45 Crore Land Fraud Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, chairman of the Al Falah Group, in connection with an alleged ₹45 crore land fraud case in Delhi. Authorities say the case involves the acquisition of property using forged documents.

Siddiqui, who also serves as director and majority shareholder of the Tarbia Education Foundation, was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED investigations revealed that falsified documents were used to fraudulently acquire land in Village Madanpur Khadar, New Delhi (Khasra No. 792), covering 1.146 acres. While the documents cited a consideration amount of ₹75 lakh, the actual market value of the property is estimated at ₹45 crore.

Siddiqui was presented before a Delhi court, which remanded him to ED custody until April 4 for further questioning. Investigators are actively tracing the money trail and identifying other potential beneficiaries or properties acquired through the alleged scheme.

This arrest follows Siddiqui’s earlier detention on November 19, 2025, in a separate money laundering case linked to alleged fraudulent accreditation claims and financial irregularities at Al Falah University. Previous complaints filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch included charges of cheating and forgery of accreditation documents.

Interim investigations have also scrutinized the university’s Dhouj campus in Faridabad, following the November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which claimed 15 lives. One doctor associated with the university-hospital, Dr. Umar-un-Nabi, was allegedly involved in the blast as a suicide bomber, prompting the ED to examine the university’s broader connections.

Experts say cases like this highlight growing trends of money laundering, forged documents, and fraudulent land acquisitions, particularly involving senior officials in higher education. Investigators emphasize that Siddiqui’s arrest is part of a broader probe to ensure all involved parties are identified and held accountable.

The ED continues to interrogate individuals in custody to trace funds, related assets, and other potential accomplices. Authorities have stressed that strict legal action will be taken if further irregularities are discovered. The case raises pressing questions about financial transparency, governance, and regulatory oversight in educational institutions.