The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a massive multi-city operation on Tuesday, raiding over 25 premises linked to the Al-Falah group as part of an expanding investigation into alleged money laundering and terror financing connected to the Delhi Red Fort blast that claimed 15 lives.
In a coordinated pre-dawn operation that began at 5:15 am, ED teams swooped down on locations across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), including the Okhla office of Al Falah University. The investigation aims to unravel the financial network that allegedly supported the accused behind the blast, which claimed 15 lives.
The case originated after Dr. Umar Nabi, a doctor associated with Al Falah University, was identified as the driver of the i20 car that exploded. While the university initially distanced itself from Dr. Nabi’s actions, subsequent investigations by the Delhi Crime Branch and Haryana Police uncovered alleged large-scale financial fraud within the institution, prompting the ED to step in and initiate a money laundering probe.
The latest raids have revealed a sophisticated web of financial deception. Officials confirmed that at least nine shell companies linked to the Al Falah group, all registered at a single address, are under the scanner. Preliminary findings point to multiple red flags consistent with shell-company operations, including: lack of physical presence or meaningful utility consumption at declared business addresses, use of a common mobile number and email across various companies and bank accounts, Absence of mandatory EPFO/ESIC filings, inconsistent with their reported scale of operations, overlapping directors and signatories with weak KYC documentation, minimal salary disbursal through banking channels and a complete absence of human resources records.
“The role of Al Falah Trust and its related entities is under a microscope. We are scrutinizing key personnel overseeing finance and administration,” a senior ED official stated.
Adding to the controversy, investigators have identified prima facie discrepancies in the institution’s claims of having recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). These aspects are now being verified with the concerned regulatory authorities.
The ED’s investigation, which began based on the police FIRs, has now significantly expanded from a terror probe to a complex financial fraud and money laundering case, suggesting a deeper nexus between the institution’s alleged financial crimes and the activities of the blast accused.
The investigation is ongoing.
