New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet before a Delhi court against Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman of the Al Falah Group, in an alleged money-laundering case linked to false claims of accreditation by an educational institution.
The chargesheet also names the Al Falah Charitable Trust, taking the total number of accused to two. The ED said the probe was initiated on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which alleged that the university falsely claimed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The agency informed the court that it has provisionally attached assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of the ongoing investigation.
Earlier, the ED told the court that Siddiqui was arrested for his alleged role in laundering proceeds generated by the Al Falah Charitable Trust, which controls the university and its affiliated institutions. The action followed Crime Branch FIRs alleging that expired NAAC accreditation grades were falsely advertised to project regulatory recognition.
The ED alleged that such fabricated claims misled students and parents, inducing admissions and fee collections through misrepresentation. The court recorded that financial analysis showed funds collected during the relevant period were prima facie linked to the alleged misrepresentations, qualifying as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
Searches at multiple locations led to the seizure of cash, digital devices and financial records. The ED further alleged diversion of contracts to entities linked to the accused’s family and claimed that senior officials confirmed Siddiqui’s role in approving key financial decisions. Layering of funds through related entities was also alleged to have been used to conceal the money trail.
While granting custodial remand earlier, the court said ED interrogation was necessary to trace further proceeds of crime, prevent asset dissipation and avert tampering with evidence. It also cited the risk of influencing witnesses and possible flight, holding custodial interrogation justified despite the defence claiming cooperation. (Agencies)
