Al Falah Group chief had reasons to flee India; Rs 415 crore tainted funds identified: ED to court

PTI, NEW DELHI, NOV 19, 2025: A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Al Falah Group chairperson Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui to ED custody for 13 days, even as the agency claimed that he had "incentives" to flee India as his close family members are settled in the Gulf.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Siddiqui on Tuesday night after conducting day-long searches against the group, linked persons, and the Faridabad-based Al Falah University, which is at the focus of investigation in the November 10 Delhi blast case that killed 15 persons and injured several others.

The federal probe agency also informed the court that Siddiqui received funds of at least Rs 415 crore, generated "dishonestly" from the students of educational institutes run by his trust. He was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan at her residence close to midnight. The proceedings lasted until 1 am.

The judge said: "After carefully considering the submission made, I am of the considered view that all the compliances under Section 19 of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) have been done."

"Considering the gravity of the offence and that the investigation is at a nascent stage, I deem it appropriate that the accused is granted ED custody remand for a period of 13 days (till December 1)," the judge ordered. The ED had sought a 14-day custody.

The university's role emerged during the probe into a 'white-collar' terror module in which 10 people, including three doctors, have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu and Kashmir Police.