Saket Court denies bail to Al-Falah University chairman Jawad Siddiqui in ₹415 crore money laundering case

A Delhi court on Friday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on a plea moved by Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui seeking the supply of a list of unrelied documents in a money-laundering case registered against him.

Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan directed the ED to file its response and listed the matter for hearing on March 27.

The court also extended Siddiqui’s judicial custody by a further 14 days. Siddiqui has been in custody since his arrest by the ED.

The ED has filed a charge sheet against Siddiqui and the Al Falah Charitable Trust, which controls a university and affiliated educational institutions. The charge sheet was filed on January 16 in connection with allegations of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

During the hearing, Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, appearing for Siddiqui along with Advocate Vishwendra Tomar, pressed the application seeking a list of documents not relied upon by the prosecution. However, he sought time to advance arguments on the consideration of the charge sheet.

Special Public Prosecutor Simon Benjamin opposed the application, contending that such a list could not be furnished at the stage of consideration of the charge sheet and would be relevant only at the stage of arguments on charge.

Khurana submitted that a Supreme Court judgment supported the defence plea, following which the court asked him to place the ruling on record.

The ED reiterated before the court that there was sufficient material to take cognisance of the charge sheet and that a clear case of money laundering was made out. The agency stated that the probe was initiated pursuant to two FIRs registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which alleged that the university had falsely claimed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

According to the ED, expired accreditation grades were allegedly advertised to mislead students and parents, inducing admissions and collection of fees through misrepresentation. The agency told the court that its financial analysis suggested that funds collected during the relevant period were linked to the alleged misrepresentations and therefore constituted proceeds of crime. It also informed the court that assets had been provisionally attached, and that searches at multiple locations led to the recovery of cash, digital devices, and financial records.

Earlier, while granting custodial remand, the court had observed that ED interrogation was necessary to trace additional proceeds of crime, prevent dissipation of assets, and avert tampering with records.

The ECIR stems from two FIRs registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on November 13. FIR No. 337 alleges that Al-Falah University falsely continued to claim NAAC accreditation for its colleges long after their ratings had expired. FIR No. 338 accuses the University of falsely asserting recognition under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, though the University had never applied for or obtained such recognition.

According to the UGC, Al-Falah University is recognized only under Section 2(f) as a State Private University and is not eligible for financial grants. The ED argued that these assertions misled thousands of students, parents and stakeholders and enabled the institution to collect large sums in tuition and related fees.

The ED had earlier, told the court that analysis of financial records showed that entities under Al-Falah Charitable Trust, including the University and its affiliated institutions, declared over ₹415 crore in revenue from educational receipts between 2018–2025. The agency contends these funds constitute proceeds of crime since they were generated via deception through false statutory claims.

The agency had further submitted that Siddiqui exercised complete financial control over the trust and its institutions. Statements from senior officials, including the University’s Chief Financial Officer, reportedly confirm that major financial decisions were taken under Siddiqui’s authority.

The ED had also alleged large-scale diversion of funds, including use of student fees for personal or family-linked concerns such as Amla Enterprises LLP and Karkun Construction & Developers. Investigation, according to the agency, also suggested that some properties and assets were layered or held in the names of family members or trusted associates.

Siddiqui was arrested at around 8.10 pm on November 18 by the ED after the agency invoked provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleging that the University and its controlling entities generated over ₹415 crore in proceeds of crime through deception and misrepresentation regarding its academic status.

The proceedings were conducted at the Judge’s residence in compliance with an administrative order of the District & Sessions Judge for South-East Delhi. Siddiqui was produced before the court at around 11 pm, and the matter continued until 1 am before the custody order was passed.

Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui

Bench: Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan

Hearing Date: February 13, 2026

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