New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) The Delhi High Court has recently issued a notice to Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, the Chairman of the Al-Falah University Group, following a plea from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that contests a trial court's decision to grant him interim bail in a money laundering case associated with the Red Fort blast investigation.

During the proceedings, a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Saurabh Banerjee instructed Siddiqui to respond to the ED's petition. The case is scheduled for a further hearing on March 19.

The ED is disputing the trial court's ruling that allowed Siddiqui interim bail based on humanitarian grounds, notably due to his wife's battle with stage-IV metastatic ovarian cancer, for which she is receiving chemotherapy at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.

The court acknowledged that Siddiqui's wife required his assistance during her ongoing treatment, which involves active, aggressive, and third-line chemotherapy.

The defense highlighted that Siddiqui has been in custody since November 18, 2025, and that his wife is without immediate family support as she navigates this severe health crisis.

Moreover, Siddiqui's three children are in the UAE for education and work, preventing them from being present to care for their mother during this challenging time.

However, the ED opposed the bail request, arguing that Siddiqui is implicated in serious economic crimes, with multiple FIRs registered against him concerning predicate offenses.

The agency also claimed that other family members could support Siddiqui's wife and argued that granting him interim bail was unjustified. They emphasized the scale of financial irregularities involved in the case, warning that Siddiqui could potentially influence witnesses or tamper with evidence if released.

After considering both sides, the trial court permitted Siddiqui to secure interim bail for a two-week duration, citing the necessity for him to care for his ailing wife. The court mandated that he provide a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 1 lakh each, along with conditions such as restrictions on leaving the Delhi-NCR area and surrendering his passport.

Additionally, it was stipulated that Siddiqui should not communicate with the complainant or witnesses and must return to the jail upon the expiration of his interim bail.

The ED's investigation is rooted in FIRs filed by the Delhi Police in November 2025 and January 2026, which pertain to alleged financial misconduct linked to the Al-Falah Charitable Trust and Al-Falah University.

Previously, the ED had seized assets worth Rs 139.97 crore belonging to the Al-Falah Charitable Trust and associated entities, and it also filed a charge sheet against Siddiqui and others in a special PMLA court.

The financial agency has alleged that the illicit gains amount to Rs 493.24 crore, generated through fraudulent claims made to regulators and stakeholders regarding the institution's accreditation and regulatory standing.