The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 17 June directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a status report on an interim bail petition filed by Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, an accused in the Al-Falah Trust money laundering case, who has sought six weeks' temporary release citing his wife's cancer treatment. A single-judge bench of Justice Madhu Jain issued notice to the federal anti-money laundering agency after Siddiqui challenged a trial court order that had rejected his earlier plea.

Grounds for Bail Plea

Appearing before the High Court, senior advocate Vikram Chaudhri submitted that Siddiqui's wife, Usma Akhtar, is currently undergoing treatment for Stage-IV ovarian cancer and requires continuous care. Chaudhri argued that Siddiqui is her primary caregiver and must be present during her ongoing course of treatment, making the six-week interim relief essential.

The ED resisted the application, contending before the High Court that the petition was not maintainable. The matter will be heard after the agency files its formal response.

What the Trial Court Found

An Additional Sessions Judge at Saket Courts had dismissed Siddiqui's interim bail application on 9 June, following a review of his wife's medical records and rival submissions. The Special Court acknowledged that Akhtar's Stage-IV cancer diagnosis was undisputed, but noted that her medical documents described her condition as 'stable' with a 'good response to treatment' — falling short of the threshold for emergency relief.

The trial court held that Siddiqui had failed to establish that his wife was terminally ill, incapable of managing her daily routine, or that no alternative caregiver was available. It further noted that the couple's adult children could travel to India to provide support if needed, and that Akhtar had herself travelled to the UAE in February 2025 — indicating she was not wholly incapacitated.

The Money Laundering Allegations

The ED's investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Delhi Police alleging cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy linked to the functioning of Al-Falah University and associated entities. The agency has alleged that the university falsely projected expired NAAC accreditations as valid and claimed non-existent UGC recognition, while its medical college was allegedly involved in irregularities to secure approvals from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

According to the ED, its probe revealed proceeds of crime worth ₹493.24 crore generated between 2016-17 and 2024-25, allegedly diverted through entities linked to Siddiqui and his family. Earlier this year, the agency attached assets worth ₹39.45 crore belonging to Al-Falah Charitable Trust and Siddiqui, in addition to university land and buildings valued at more than ₹144 crore.

What Happens Next

The Delhi High Court will take up the interim bail matter after the ED files its status report. The case represents a test of the humanitarian grounds threshold courts apply in serious financial crime cases — balancing personal compassion against the gravity of alleged offences. Siddiqui was represented by senior advocate Vikram Chaudhri, along with advocates Vishvendra Tomar, Abhishek Singh, and Talib Mustafa.