A Delhi court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Al-Falah University founder and chancellor Javed Ahmad Siddiqui for 14 more days, following a request by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The probe agency informed the court that its ongoing money laundering investigation against Siddiqui now involves examining potential "cross border" linkages.
Court Proceedings and Custody Extension
Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, presiding over the case at Saket District Court, granted the ED's plea after hearing detailed submissions. Siddiqui, who was produced before the court, will remain in judicial custody until his next hearing scheduled for December 15.
The court also addressed Siddiqui's health and personal requests. It ruled that he could continue taking medicines prescribed by his personal doctor, but only after a mandatory inspection by the medical officer of the concerned jail authority. When Siddiqui's defence counsel sought permission for him to carry his spectacles and some books from home, the court clarified that "everything allowed in the jail manual will be granted to him".
Scrutiny on University Finances and Operations
Siddiqui's arrest on November 18 has intensified scrutiny on Haryana-based Al-Falah University. The institution was already under the scanner after some of its doctors were allegedly linked to the November 10 car blast near Red Fort, an incident that claimed 15 lives and left 28 people injured.
The ED has levelled serious allegations against the university's operations. The agency claims the institute "falsely claimed UGC recognition and misrepresented its NAAC accreditation status" to students. Investigators have pointed to a "meteoric rise" in revenue, stating the university generated a staggering Rs 415 crore between 2018 and 2025. This financial surge, according to the ED, does not match the assets declared in its official financial records.
The probe further alleges that fees collected from students, along with public funds, were diverted for personal and private use. The ED asserts that Siddiqui exercised de facto control over the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, its managing trustee, and other related entities. During searches conducted at 19 locations across Delhi-NCR on the day of his arrest, authorities seized approximately Rs 48 lakh in cash.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The mention of "cross border" linkages by the ED in court adds a new dimension to the high-profile case, suggesting the investigation may have international ramifications. The agency is meticulously piecing together the financial trail and the alleged misrepresentation by the university authorities.
With the judicial custody extended, the focus now shifts to the next court hearing on December 15. The period will allow the ED to continue its deep dive into the university's finances, its accreditation claims, and the alleged diversion of funds, as the legal process unfolds.
