New Delhi, Mar 8: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to challenge the interim bail granted to Al Falah University group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui by a Delhi court, stating that his release could influence the ongoing investigation in a money laundering case linked to alleged fraud involving student fees, officials said.
A local court on Saturday granted two-week interim bail to Siddiqui, 61, who was arrested by the ED in November 2025 and is currently lodged in jail under judicial custody. The relief was granted to enable him to take care of his wife, who is suffering from stage-four cancer and is scheduled to undergo chemotherapy on March 12.
The ED plans to approach the Delhi High Court, arguing that several aspects of the investigation are still pending and that Siddiqui has the financial capacity to influence the probe and tamper with witnesses or stakeholders connected to the case.
The money laundering case against Siddiqui and the Faridabad-based university stems from two FIRs registered by Delhi Police alleging fraud with students by misrepresenting the accreditation and recognition of the institution’s colleges and collecting fees on that basis.
Officials said the agency will also inform the High Court about another FIR registered against Siddiqui under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the November 10 Red Fort area blast.
According to the ED’s chargesheet, three doctors linked to the blast case — two arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and a third identified as the alleged suicide bomber — had been appointed at Al Falah Medical College without police verification or scrutiny. The agency alleged that these appointments were made at the university controlled by Siddiqui.
The ED further argued before the trial court that granting bail could hamper the investigation as “more aspects” of the case remain under probe.
Officials also said the agency will highlight before the High Court that Siddiqui’s wife has been undergoing cancer treatment for several years and had appeared before investigators earlier without a caregiver, suggesting she is medically stable.
The Delhi court, however, noted in its order that Siddiqui’s three children, who live in the UAE, could not travel to India due to ongoing examinations and the prevailing war situation in the Middle East.
Investigators said travel records of the children show they rarely visit India and stay only for short durations when they do. Two of them were also summoned for questioning but did not appear before the agency.
Siddiqui’s lawyers argued in court that he had cooperated with the investigation and that the ED had already filed a chargesheet against him in January, seeking relief on humanitarian grounds.
Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan granted interim bail while imposing conditions including surrendering his passport and refraining from threatening complainants or witnesses.
The ED has alleged that Al Falah University generated about ₹415.10 crore between 2018 and 2025, with funds collected from students allegedly diverted for personal use.
The university came under scrutiny during a ‘white-collar terror’ investigation in which two doctors associated with it were arrested, while another doctor, Umar-un-Nabi, linked to the institution’s hospital, was identified as the suicide bomber in the Red Fort area blast that killed 15 people. (Agencies)
