Dark past of Al-Falah's chancellor under lens: Fraud and a Tihar jail stint

Alongside his brother Saood, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui launched a few small ventures while at Jamia

Al-Falah University in Haryana’s Faridabad has come under massive scrutiny amid investigations into the November 10 blast near Red Fort in Delhi, which claimed 13 lives and injured several.

The university’s founder, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui -- a former lecturer and now head of multiple enterprises under the Al-Falah Group of Companies -- built an impressive empire. His rise inspired confidence among the thousands studying at Al-Falah University, particularly its medical students, who believed they were on the same path to success.

However, the massive explosion in the national capital has brought the spotlight to the university for all the wrong reasons.

Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to Al-Falah University, have been arrested in connection with the Delhi blast. Moreover, Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the i20 that exploded near the Red Fort, was also reportedly connected to the Al-Falah.

Who is Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui?

Jawad was born in November 15, 1964 and grew up in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow. According to his (non-active) LinkedIn profile, Siddiqui completed BTech in Industrial and Product Design from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore.

Later, his family reportedly moved to Delhi.

According to a former colleague who spoke to India Today Fact Check anonymously, Jawad became a Mechanical Engineering lecturer at Jamia Millia Islamia in 1993.

Yet, the classroom could not contain his bigger ambitions. Alongside his brother Saood, he launched a few small ventures while at Jamia -- one of them, Al-Falah Investments, would ultimately see the duo spend three years in Tihar Jail.

From Jamia to jail

During his time at Jamia, Jawad convinced some of his colleagues to invest into his business venture, promising hefty returns, the India Today report revealed.

But soon, Jawad’s business ventures drew controversy. He was accused of fraud, embezzlement, and cheating after a complaint filed in 2000 by one KR Singh (FIR No. 43/2000) at New Friends Colony, Delhi, against Al-Falah Investments Ltd.

The Economic Offences Wing investigated the case, resulting in Jawad and his brother being jailed for over three years.

The Delhi High Court, in March 2003, rejected his bail plea, according to the India Today report. It noted that in line with the charges, the Forensic Science Laboratory in Delhi found that the “signatures of the investors were forged. The deposits were also received in the name of some of the companies which were non-existent. The petitioners diverted large funds received from the investors into their personal accounts and then misappropriated the same”, the report added.

In February 2004, Jawad got bail and was later acquitted in the case by the Patiala High Court a year later. This came after he and his brother agreed to refund the investors they had defrauded.

University distances itself from arrested doctors

The Al-Falah University on Wednesday said it has only a professional association with the two of its doctors arrested.

"We are deeply saddened and anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place and condemn the same. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people affected by these distressing events," a statement issued by University Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Bhupinder Kaur Anand said.

"We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the investigating agencies. We wish to make it clear that the University has no connection with the said persons apart from them being working in their official capacities with the University," she said.