Delhi Court Issues Notice to ED in Al Falah Group Money Laundering Case
A Delhi court on Friday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a plea filed by Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui. Siddiqui is seeking the supply of documents related to the chargesheet in a money laundering case against him and his organization.
Court Proceedings and Judicial Custody Extension
Additional sessions judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan directed the ED to respond to Siddiqui's application and scheduled the next hearing for March 27. The court also extended Siddiqui's judicial custody by 14 days, keeping him in detention as the legal proceedings continue.
In his formal application, Siddiqui urged the court to order the agency to provide all documents it relied upon in the chargesheet. This request aims to enable him to prepare an adequate defense against the serious allegations.
Prosecution Opposition and Legal Arguments
Special public prosecutor Simon Benjamin strongly opposed Siddiqui's plea during the hearing. Benjamin argued that the list of unrelied documents cannot be provided at the current stage of considering the chargesheet. According to the prosecution, such documents should only be supplied during the arguments on charges phase of the trial.
The defense team countered this position by citing a relevant Supreme Court judgment. The court acknowledged this reference and instructed that the judgment be formally placed on record for consideration in future proceedings.
Background of the Money Laundering Case
Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was initially arrested on November 18 in connection with the money laundering investigation. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Al Falah University, operated by the Al Falah Charitable Trust, generated proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 45 crore.
The agency claims the university dishonestly induced students to enroll through false claims and misleading representations. A formal chargesheet was filed against Siddiqui and the Al Falah Charitable Trust on January 16, outlining these allegations in detail.
Separate Forgery Charges by Delhi Police
In a separate legal development, Delhi Police arrested Siddiqui on February 5 on forgery charges. This arrest followed two FIRs registered based on a complaint filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). These additional charges add complexity to the legal challenges facing the Al Falah Group chairman.
The money laundering case continues to unfold as both the prosecution and defense prepare their respective arguments. The court's notice to the ED represents a significant procedural step that could influence how documents are shared during the trial process.
