Bhopal, Nov 20 (NationPress) Just one day after Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the founder of Al Falah University, was placed in 13-day Enforcement Directorate custody due to a money laundering case linked to terror financing, he has now been implicated in a distinct Rs 2 crore fraud case following an FIR lodged in Bhopal.

Siddiqui has been under considerable scrutiny after his supposed connections to the Delhi blast attack came to light, with the ED alleging that approximately Rs 415.10 crore was amassed through what they described as “fake accreditation” and misleading claims of statutory recognition.

Officials reported that Siddiqui had been evading the Bhopal Police for years, despite being wanted in a previous fraud case. Investigators revealed that he and his brother, Hamood Siddiqui, deceived the public in Bhopal from 1997 to 2001 by running a chit fund company that promised to double investments.

By 2001, both brothers had vanished. FIRs were subsequently filed at Talaiya and Shahjahanabad police stations following complaints from defrauded citizens. He has also been accused of absconding with funds belonging to victims of a gas tragedy.

Recent developments have reignited allegations that Siddiqui swindled funds and funneled them into a terrorist scheme. This fraud, exceeding Rs 2 crore, dates back 24 years. While Siddiqui obtained anticipatory bail in this case, his brother was acquitted.

In the meantime, the ED apprehended Siddiqui on Sunday, asserting that he and the Al Falah charitable trust under his management generated Rs 415.10 crore as proceeds of crime by misguiding students and parents with false NAAC accreditation claims and alleged UGC recognition.

The agency has acknowledged two FIRs from the Delhi Police Crime Branch alleging that Al Falah University utilized fraudulent accreditation to draw in admissions. The ED contended in court that Siddiqui exercised “command” over the personnel handling admissions, accounts, fee records, and IT systems, granting him the ability to “destroy or alter records” during the investigation.

The Al Falah group has experienced significant growth since the 1990s, evolving into a substantial educational network, despite financial disclosures that do not correspond with its assets and accumulated wealth.

Siddiqui will remain in ED custody until December 1 as investigations into alleged widespread financial discrepancies and accreditation fraud linked to the university persist.

The Mhow Cantonment Board (MCB) in Madhya Pradesh has issued an official notice to the current occupant of Siddiqui's ancestral home, demanding the removal of extensive unauthorized construction on the property.