ED conducts raids on Al Falah University in Red Fort blast money laundering probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out extensive searches across Delhi-NCR targeting Al Falah University in Faridabad and individuals linked to the ongoing investigation into the Red Fort area car blast case.

Starting at around 5:15 am, multiple teams from the ED raided at least 25 locations connected to the Al Falah Trust and University. A major operation was conducted at an office in Delhi’s Okhla area, under tight security provided by police and paramilitary personnel.

The institution came under scrutiny after its alleged links surfaced in the November 10 car blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which claimed 13 lives. Investigators are examining the possible role of individuals associated with the university, including several doctors linked to Kashmir, in connection with the suspected terror attack. The two arrested suspects linked to alleged suicide bomber Dr. Umar Nabi are not from Delhi. Both are from Kashmir one from Pampore and the other from Anantnag and are believed to have assisted in logistics and technical support for the Red Fort blast.

According to ED officials, the raids are part of a probe into suspected financial irregularities, use of shell companies, accommodation entities, and money laundering. “Key personnel overseeing finance and administration of the trust and the university have been covered in the raids,” an official said.

At least nine shell or dummy companies tied to the group, all registered at a single address, are under examination. Preliminary findings suggest indicators typical of shell entities, including no real physical presence, lack of meaningful utility consumption, common contact details, overlapping directors, and weak Know Your Customer (KYC) trails.

Officials also reported minimal evidence of employee records, absence of EPFO and ESIC filings, questionable salary disbursals, and synchronised incorporation patterns across multiple firms. These discrepancies, they said, raise concerns over alleged misuse of corporate structures for possible money laundering activities.

Furthermore, the ED noted inconsistencies in documents claiming University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recognition, suggesting possible violations of educational regulatory norms.

The agency has taken cognisance of FIRs filed by both the Delhi Police and the NIA in the case and is investigating the financial links to the alleged terror plot. The Al Falah University, located in the Dhouj area of Haryana’s Faridabad district, also houses a medical college and hospital.