As the probe into the funding sources of Haryana-based Al-Falah University intensifies, Enforcement Directorate teams carried out searches at 25 premises connected to the institution this morning. The locations raided include the university’s office in Okhla, Delhi, and its 70-acre main campus in Faridabad. The university has attracted scrutiny after three doctors employed there were named as suspects in the recent Delhi blast case.
The Enforcement Directorate’s operation stems directly from central government directives to investigate the institution’s financial inflows. A forensic audit of the university’s accounts has been ordered, and the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police has been roped in to assist. While the National Investigation Agency continues its probe into the blast itself, the ED and the EOW are now examining the university’s funding channels and various operational aspects.
Al-Falah University is already facing two criminal cases after the University Grants Commission and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council flagged serious irregularities in its accreditation claims. FIRs have been registered on charges of cheating and forgery.
In a related development, the Association of Indian Universities has suspended the institution’s membership, stating that Al-Falah University “does not appear to be in good standing”.
Established in 2014 and granted UGC recognition in 2015, Al-Falah University functions under the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which was set up in 1995 and began an engineering college in 1997. The university runs several schools offering programmes in medical science, engineering and technology, humanities, computer science, education, and other disciplines.
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The institution first drew intense attention following a massive seizure of explosives in Faridabad. Approximately 2,900 kg of bomb-making material was recovered from rooms rented by Muzammil, a doctor attached to the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, located outside the main campus. Another doctor from the same medical college, Dr Shaheen, was arrested after assault rifles and other weapons were recovered from her car. Within hours of these recoveries becoming public, a car bomb detonated near the Red Fort, claiming 13 lives and injuring more than 20 people. The driver of the vehicle, Dr Umar, was also an employee of Al-Falah University.
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The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Bhupinder Kaur Anand, had earlier issued a statement saying the management condemns the “unfortunate developments”. “We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the investigating agencies. We wish to make it clear that the University has no connection with the said persons apart from them working in their official capacities with the University,” the statement read.
It further condemned what it described as baseless reports intended to damage the institution’s image: “The University also notes with deep concern that certain online platforms are circulating baseless and misleading stories with the clear intent of maligning the reputation and goodwill of the University. We strongly condemn and categorically deny all such false and defamatory allegations,” the statement said.
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