NIA widens probe in Al Falah University, records being examined
What's the story
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its investigation into the alleged terror network linked to Al-Falah Medical College and its parent university in Faridabad. The probe is part of the ongoing investigation into Monday's deadly Red Fort blast. The agency is now seeking records dating back to 2019 from Al-Falah University, which operates several educational and research institutions.
Investigation details
NIA probing recruitment, funding for attack
The NIA is probing if accused doctors, including blast suspect Dr Umar Mohammad, alias Umar Un-Nabi, and his associate Dr Muzammil Ganaie, misused their positions for recruitment and funding of the attack. A senior Haryana Police officer said the NIA has sought records from 2019 onward, including "faculty hiring, salary disbursements, hostel allotments, and ID verifications." A special team will look for irregularities in these areas.
Evidence collection
Over 500 records seized from campus
NIA and Jammu & Kashmir Police have jointly visited Al-Falah University's Dhauj campus, seizing over 500 physical and digital records. These include employee files, hostel registers, attendance logs, and financial ledgers. Investigators are particularly focusing on hostel blocks where several students from Jammu and Kashmir were residing. Separate lists of these students are being prepared along with details of their fee payments and linked bank accounts.
Financial scrutiny
Investigating university's finances
The investigation has also expanded to include the university's finances. A senior NIA officer in Delhi said they are looking into whether funding or external grants were diverted for extremist activities. Payment gateways, scholarships, and foreign transactions received since 2019 are under review. The probe has also revived scrutiny of Al-Falah University's management and financial practices.
Director's past
Siddiqui's past convictions and current scrutiny
The university's director, Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, is linked to nine other institutions and companies. Siddiqui was arrested in a cheating case in 2000 for misappropriating ₹7.5 crore from investors through fake investment firms. He was jailed for three years before being acquitted in 2005. On Thursday, NIA and Delhi Police teams raided the Okhla premises of one of Siddiqui's other companies and seized land documents and financial files.