The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made a significant breakthrough in the Delhi car blast investigation, arresting Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime accused and former student of Al-Falah University, during coordinated raids across the national capital.
Massive ED Operation Uncovers Shell Network
On Tuesday, the central investigating agency conducted sweeping raids at 25 different locations throughout Delhi, intensifying the probe into the November 10 car explosion that claimed multiple lives. The operation targeted Al-Falah University's main campus in Faridabad, its administrative office in Okhla, and several promoters associated with the institution.
Initial investigations revealed alarming discrepancies regarding the university's recognition status with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), prompting the extensive search operation.
Shell Company Red Flags Exposed
The ED's preliminary inquiry uncovered a complex network of nine shell firms connected to the group, all registered at the same address. Investigators identified multiple red flags characteristic of shell operations, including:
- No physical office space or measurable utility usage at registered locations
- Identical phone numbers and email addresses used across multiple companies
- Absence of EPFO or ESIC filings despite claimed business scale
- Repeated overlap in directors and authorized signatories with inadequate KYC documentation
- Minimal salary payments through formal banking channels and no human resources records
- A coordinated pattern of company incorporations using identical contact details
Al-Falah University's Controversial Background
Al-Falah University, which began as an engineering college in 1997 in Faridabad's Dhauj area, operates under the Al-Falah Charitable Trust registered in Delhi's Okhla. The institution gained university status in 2014 after receiving UGC recognition.
The trust is headed by Jawahar Ahmed Siddiqui, who also serves as the university's chancellor. The medical program launched in 2019, currently offering 200 MBBS seats and 50 MD seats with annual fees ranging from Rs 2.5 lakh for anatomy to approximately Rs 30 lakh for pediatrics.
University staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the institution receives regular donations from Arab countries, with foreign fundraisers visiting the campus annually.
November 10 Car Blast Tragedy
The investigation stems from the devastating November 10 explosion that ripped through a Hyundai i20 car near the Lal Quila Metro Station. The blast claimed at least 15 lives and left numerous others injured.
Post-mortem examinations revealed victims sustained severe injuries including multiple fractures, head trauma, ruptured lungs, eardrum damage, and abdominal organ injuries. The force of the explosion caused deep wounds and heavy bleeding, indicating many victims were thrown against hard surfaces by the blast wave.
The ED's arrest of Dr Umar Un Nabi marks a crucial development in unraveling the connections between the educational institution, financial irregularities, and the tragic car explosion that shook the national capital.
