Delhi car blast: Association of Indian Universities suspends Al Falah University’s membership; govt orders forensic audit

Al Falah University

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on Thursday suspended the membership of Al Falah University, which has come under scrutiny in connection with the November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 13 people and injured several others.

According to sources, the government has ordered a forensic audit of all records of the Haryana-based university and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) along with other financial investigative agencies to trace the institution’s money trail.

The decisions were taken after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which lasted for over one-and-a-half hours and reviewed the progress of the ongoing investigation into the explosion near the historic monument.

"An order has been issued to carry out a forensic audit of all records of Al Falah University. The ED (Enforcement Directorate) and other financial agencies were also asked by the government to check the money trail of Al Falah University," the sources said.

Located in Dhauj, Faridabad (Haryana), Al Falah University is a private institution that also runs a hospital on its campus. Dr Umar Nabi, who officials say was driving the Haryana-registered car that exploded, was employed at the university as an assistant professor.

Investigators have detained three doctors associated with the university in connection with the case.

According to its website, Al Falah University was established under the Haryana Private Universities Act and its medical college is affiliated to the same institution.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the university said it was “extending its full cooperation to the concerned investigating authorities to enable them to arrive at a logical, fair and conclusive determination in the matter pertaining to national security.”

The high-intensity blast on Monday ripped through a car near Delhi’s Red Fort, hours after the unearthing of a “white-collar terror module” and the arrest of eight people, including the three detained doctors linked to Al Falah University.

*With Agency Inputs