A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the interim bail plea of Al-Falah University chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, who is facing allegations in a ₹493-crore money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Siddiqui had sought six weeks’ interim bail, stating that he needed to care for his wife, who is undergoing treatment for stage-4 metastatic ovarian cancer.
However, Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan dismissed the plea, observing that Siddiqui had failed to prove that his wife required his exclusive care or that no other family members were available to support her.
In its order, the court said, “Applicant has failed to show that the wife is terminally ill or is unable to take care of her daily routine and requires constant support of the accused/applicant and further, that there is no other adult member or caregiver, who cannot be made available for the wife.”
‘Medical Records Show Condition Is Stable’
The court noted that while Siddiqui’s wife is receiving treatment for a serious illness, her medical records describe her condition as stable. It further observed that there was no indication she was bedridden, terminally ill, or unable to manage her day-to-day routine.
The court also pointed out that adult children are expected to support parents during emergencies.
“It is expected from adult children to take care of their parents in such emergent situation and it cannot be said that the children cannot be a caregiver to their mother,” the court observed.
ED Investigating ₹493 Crore Alleged Money Laundering Case
Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui was first arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch in February over alleged financial and administrative irregularities at Al-Falah University. Later, in March, the Enforcement Directorate took him into custody under money laundering charges.
According to the ED, the university allegedly misled students and parents by making false claims regarding NAAC accreditation and UGC recognition. The agency alleges that these claims helped generate proceeds of crime amounting to nearly ₹493.24 crore through student fee collections.
The ED further alleged that Siddiqui diverted funds from the Al-Falah Charitable Trust into personal accounts and investment channels using multiple entities to allegedly launder money.
University Also Faced Scrutiny in Red Fort Blast Case
The university had previously come under public attention after reports emerged that Dr Umar Nabi, accused in the November 2025 Red Fort blast that killed 12 people, had worked at the institution.
After reviewing the case, the court concluded that Siddiqui had failed to establish sufficient grounds for interim bail and ruled that alternative caregivers were available for his wife during her treatment.
