New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) In relation to the Delhi Red Fort blast, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday, executing search actions at over 25 locations associated with the Al-Falah group.

The operations commenced around 5 a.m. and are currently taking place at the university’s headquarters in Okhla, along with its Jamia Nagar office and various sites linked to the institution’s trustees. Security measures have been intensified in the vicinity as ED teams persist with their searches.

The university has come under investigation after three physicians employed there were identified as suspects in connection with the Red Fort blast incident.

This action by the central agency follows directives from the government to scrutinize the university’s funding sources. A forensic audit of its financial records has been mandated, and the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing is also involved. While the NIA is spearheading the investigation into the blast, the ED and the Economic Offences Wing are now probing the university’s financial operations and overall conduct.

The searches are part of an ongoing inquiry into potential financial misconduct, including the use of shell companies, accommodation entities, and money laundering. The activities of the Al-Falah Trust and its related organizations are also under scrutiny. Key staff in finance and administration are being examined during this operation.

Nine shell companies linked to the group, reportedly registered at a single address, are under investigation, with preliminary findings revealing multiple risk indicators typical of shell company operations. Investigators have noted a lack of physical presence or significant utility usage at their declared business locations. The ED has not discovered unique contact information, as a common mobile number and email address have been found across several companies and bank accounts.

The absence of EPFO and ESIC filings raises concerns given the scale of operations reported. Officials have also pinpointed overlapping directors or signatories along with inadequate KYC documentation among the entities. Furthermore, minimal salary disbursements through banking channels and a dearth of HR records have been noted.

The companies exhibit synchronized incorporation patterns and identical contact information, further intensifying doubts about their authenticity.

Established in 2014, Al-Falah University gained recognition from the University Grants Commission in 2015 and is governed by the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which was founded in 1995, beginning with an engineering college in 1997. The university currently offers programs across various fields, including medical sciences, engineering, humanities, computer science, and education.

Investigators have pointed out prima facie inconsistencies in the university’s assertions regarding UGC and NAAC recognition, and these matters are currently under examination by concerned authorities.

The institution garnered national attention following a significant recovery of explosives in Faridabad. Around 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials were discovered in rooms rented by Muzammil, a doctor linked to the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, off-campus. Another physician, Dr. Shaheen, was apprehended after assault rifles and other weapons were found in her vehicle. Just hours after these revelations, a car exploded near the Red Fort, claiming 13 lives and injuring over 20 individuals. The driver, Dr. Umar, was also associated with Al-Falah.

Further investigation is ongoing.