A Saket court in New Delhi has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a plea from Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the chairman of the Al Falah Group. Siddiqui’s application seeks access to a list of unrelied documents pertaining to the ongoing investigation against him.

He has been in judicial custody since his arrest by the ED related to a money-laundering case. The notice was issued by Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, who has asked the ED to provide a response by March 27.

Extension of Judicial Custody

During the latest court session, the judicial custody of Siddiqui was extended by an additional 14 days. The ED has previously filed a charge sheet against him and the Al Falah Charitable Trust, detailing allegations of money laundering, which were formally lodged on January 16. Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, along with Vishwendra Tomar, represented Siddiqui in the court and requested more time to discuss the charge sheet.

Opposition from ED Special Public Prosecutor

Simon Benjamin, the Special Public Prosecutor for the ED, opposed the request for the list of unrelied documents, stating that such information could not be provided until the stage of arguments on the charges is reached. However, Khurana pointed to a Supreme Court judgment supporting his position. The judge encouraged him to submit the relevant judgment for the record.

Allegations of Fraudulent Activity

The ED has asserted that there is adequate evidence to substantiate the charge sheet, accusing Siddiqui of involvement in money laundering activities. The agency initiated its investigation following two FIRs filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which alleged that the Al Falah University falsely claimed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Assets Provisionally Attached

As part of its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED has provisionally attached certain assets. The agency indicated to the court that Siddiqui’s arrest was linked to alleged money laundering activities involving the Al Falah Charitable Trust, which manages the university and its associated institutions. The actions by the ED stemmed from FIRs alleging that the university falsely advertised expired NAAC accreditation grades.

Misrepresentation of Accreditation

The agency also accused the university of fabricating claims of regulatory recognition to mislead students and parents, which resulted in admissions and fee collection under false pretenses. The court noted that financial analyses conducted by the ED suggested that funds amassed during this time could be classified as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.

Evidence and Recovery Operations

Search operations at various locations led to the recovery of cash, digital devices, and financial documentation, further supporting the ED’s claims. The agency reported that specific contracts had been redirected to businesses associated with Siddiqui’s family, and senior officials had corroborated Siddiqui’s involvement in major financial decisions. The ED also flagged concerns regarding the layering of funds through related entities to disguise the money trail.

Necessity for Further Investigation

During an earlier custodial remand, the court emphasized the importance of ED’s interrogation to trace additional proceeds of crime and to prevent the dissipation of assets and tampering with evidence. The proceedings continue as the judicial system addresses the serious allegations against Siddiqui and his entities.

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