Delhi Court Grants 2-Week Interim Bail To Al-Falah Chairman Jawed Siddiqui In PMLA Case
A Delhi court granted interim bail to Al-Falah group chairman Jawed Siddiqui in a PMLA case to allow him to care for his wife undergoing cancer treatment
A court in Delhi has granted two weeks’ interim bail to Al-Falah group chairman Jawed Siddiqui in a money laundering case to allow him to care for his wife, who is undergoing treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan passed the order on Saturday, noting that Siddiqui’s wife was undergoing chemotherapy and required support during her treatment.
“After considering all the present facts and circumstances, I am of the considered view that applicant/accused deserves to be enlarged on interim bail as the wife of accused is unwell,” the court said.
The court observed that Siddiqui’s wife was receiving chemotherapy at a hospital in Delhi and that the medical records placed before it were not disputed by the Enforcement Directorate. It further noted that the couple’s three children were studying in the United Arab Emirates and were unable to travel to India, leaving her without immediate family support.
“The wife of accused/applicant requires care and support, cannot be ignored and it is also a fact that she does not have her family or children besides her and it is only the accused/applicant being her husband who is required to give her support,” the court said.
Siddiqui was arrested on November 18, 2025 in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The case is linked to alleged cheating of students enrolled in institutions run by the Al Falah Charitable Trust.
Granting interim bail for two weeks, the court directed Siddiqui to furnish a personal bond and surety of ₹1 lakh each.
It also imposed conditions including that he must not leave the Delhi-NCR region without prior permission, must keep his mobile phone active, surrender his passport and refrain from contacting witnesses or the complainant during the period of release.
The Enforcement Directorate opposed the bail plea, arguing that Siddiqui was involved in serious offences and could influence the investigation. However, the court noted that the accused had cooperated with the probe and had not attempted to flee.
It held that any concerns raised by the agency could be addressed by imposing appropriate conditions.
On February 5, the agency arrested Siddiqui on charges of forgery over alleged irregularities in the functioning of a private university. He was produced before the court after the expiry of his earlier 14-day judicial custody granted on January 31.
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: March 7, 2026