The university buildings may be linked to alleged crime money, claim officials; anguish and fear among students
NEW DELHI — Alfalah University in Haryana’s Faridabad is facing possible seizure as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) steps up a money laundering probe linked to the Red Fort blast case. Officials said the agency is weighing provisional attachment of the campus under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Sources said investigators are checking whether funds used to build the university came from alleged crime money. The ED has already arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of the Al-Falah Group, in November. The agency claims large sums were taken from students and parents by giving claims of approvals that were not in place.
An ED officer said, “The probe is focused on tracing funds and assets. The aim is to secure properties that may be linked to crime money.” The agency has put the value of alleged proceeds at Rs 415.10 crore and said much of it may have gone into buildings at the Dhoj campus.
Officials said the next step could be a provisional attachment order once assets are listed and valued. A source said, “Attachment only stops sale or transfer. It does not shut classrooms.”
The case has drawn attention since the National Investigation Agency and Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier arrested several people in what they called a “white-collar terrorist module”. One accused, Umar-un-Nabi, a doctor linked to Al-Falah Medical College, is accused in the Red Fort blast that killed 15 people last year.
Siddiqui’s lawyer rejected the charges. “My client has been framed in false and made-up cases,” he told the court. “There is no proof that the university was built with illegal money.”
Students said they fear being punished for actions they had no role in. A final-year student said, “We came here to study. We ask the state to protect our degrees and our future.”
Muslim groups warned against branding an entire community. A community leader in Delhi said, “Crime must be checked by law. Do not turn this into a reason to shame Indian Muslims or target education.”
Officials said teaching will continue even if assets are attached. A senior source said, “A receiver can be named to run the university so classes and exams go on.”
The ED registered the case on November 14 based on two Delhi Police FIRs. The agency also alleged that claims of UGC and NAAC status were not correct. The matter is before the courts, and all sides say they will place their case there.
