ED Raids Al-Falah University in Massive Crackdown Linked to Red Fort Blast Probe
New Delhi, November 18, 2025 — In a major development in the investigation of the November 10 Red Fort car bomb blast, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out extensive searches across more than 25 locations in Delhi-NCR, including the headquarters and campus of Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. The searches, which began at dawn, are part of a widening probe into suspected terror financing, money laundering, and alleged financial irregularities connected to the deadly attack.
According to official sources, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on findings by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police that point to suspicious fund movements involving the university, its associated entities, and certain trustees.
Raids Target Key Premises
Teams of ED officials simultaneously searched:
- Al-Falah University’s Delhi office in Okhla
- The main campus at Dhauj, Faridabad
- Residences of top trustees and promoters
- Offices of shell companies and linked organisations
By afternoon, several incriminating documents, digital devices, financial ledgers, and communication records had reportedly been seized for forensic examination.
University in Spotlight After Arrests of “White-Collar” Terror Suspects
Al-Falah University, which includes a medical college and a teaching hospital, became a central point in the terror probe after several of the arrested suspects were found to be associated with the institution. Investigators have described the busted network as a “white-collar terror module” due to its unusually high number of highly educated operatives.
Prime Accused Was a Faculty Member
The main accused in the Red Fort blast — Dr Umar un Nabi (also known as Umar Mohammad or Umar Nabi Bhat) — worked as an assistant professor in the Department of General Medicine at the university. He allegedly drove the Hyundai i20 packed with explosives that detonated in slow-moving traffic near Netaji Subhash Marg on November 10.
The blast killed at least 15 people, with the toll expected to rise as several critically injured victims remain hospitalised. Over 30 people sustained serious injuries.
Links to Faridabad Terror Module
Investigators have identified Al-Falah University as a possible operational base for the terror group.
Arrests of Other Doctors
At least three other accused —
- Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie,
- Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, and
- Dr Shaheen Saeed —
were either employed at the university or closely associated with it.
These suspects were part of a larger Faridabad-based module allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, involved in:
- Manufacturing and stockpiling explosives
- Procuring weapons
- Attempting drone modifications for aerial attacks
- Developing locally assembled rocket launchers
During earlier raids, agencies recovered:
- 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate
- Dozens of detonators and timing devices
- An AK-56 rifle, pistols, and ammunition
- Laptops containing encrypted communications and blueprints
Many of these materials were seized from rented properties in Faridabad reportedly used by the accused.
Possible Planning Inside the Campus
Sources revealed that investigators are examining whether parts of the blast conspiracy were planned inside university premises. Several meetings, encrypted chats, and movements of the suspects around the campus are under scrutiny.
Officials believe the university may have acted as a safe hub for the educated members of the module due to its medical facilities and secluded areas.
Parallel Action Against University Over Irregularities
The ED raids come amid a series of actions by other agencies against the university.
Recently:
- Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Al-Falah University for cheating, forgery, and misrepresentation of facts, including falsely claiming UGC recognition and expired NAAC accreditation on its website.
- The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) revoked the institution’s membership.
- Summons were issued to chairman Javed Ahmad Siddiqui and founder Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui.
- The Haryana government ordered a forensic audit of all university records, admissions, finances, and foreign funding sources.
High-Level Home Ministry Review
The ED action follows a top-level security meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The review emphasised the need to:
- Trace money trails linking the suspects
- Investigate possible misuse of university funds
- Identify shell companies or NGOs used to channel money
The ministry has directed all agencies — including NIA, Delhi Police Special Cell, and Haryana Police — to work in a coordinated manner.
University Denies Institutional Role
In a statement last week, Al-Falah University condemned the Red Fort blast and denied any institutional involvement in the terror plot. The management claimed it would provide full cooperation to investigating agencies.
However, investigators are probing whether certain insiders facilitated the operations.
Probe Intensifies, More Arrests Likely
The multi-agency investigation is still in its early stages. With the ED joining the probe, officials expect to uncover a clearer picture of the financial backbone behind the terror cell. Security has been tightened across the national capital region.
Further arrests and more ED action are expected in the coming days.
