New Delhi: In a startling revelation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a land scam running right inside the national capital — one that involves the names and forged signatures of people who died decades ago. The agency has arrested Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, Chancellor of Al-Falah University, for allegedly acquiring prime land in Delhi’s Madanpur Khadar area using fraudulently created ownership papers.
According to ED officials, the land was transferred in 2004 on the basis of a fake General Power of Attorney (GPA) to a trust — Tarbia Education Foundation — which is directly controlled by Siddiqui. What has shocked investigators is the fact that all the original Hindu landowners mentioned in the GPA had passed away between 1972 and 1998, long before the papers were signed.
“Buried, yet signing documents” — ED uncovers blatant forgery
The ED’s findings point to a meticulously planned conspiracy:
- Every owner named on the property papers was dead at the time of the 2004 transfer
- Forged signatures and fake IDs were used
- Registry officials failed to verify authenticity at multiple levels
As one ED officer put it grimly:
“People who had long been buried were shown signing documents. This was a pre-planned, structured criminal racket.”
The agency suspects that this may be just one of many such illegal land transfers attempted through fabricated GPAs.
Delhi blast connection accelerated probe
The investigation into the land scam gained urgency after the November 11 i20 car explosion near Red Fort — a suspected ‘white-collar terror’ operation. The case reportedly led officers to individuals associated with Al-Falah University.
Key developments:
- Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the prime accused in the blast case, is a former student of the University
- Three professors linked to the institution are also under the scanner
- 25 raids conducted across Delhi-NCR
- Nine shell companies uncovered — all registered at a single address
Investigators believe illegally acquired property and educational frauds may have been funding suspicious networks.
“Money made in the name of education may be diverted to dangerous hands,” a senior official suggested.
Faking recognition, cheating students — academic fraud angle widens
The groundwork of the ED action lies in two FIRs filed by Delhi Police Crime Branch, alleging that Al-Falah University:
- Falsely claimed UGC Section 12(B) eligibility
- Misled students about NAAC accreditation
- Duped aspirants by collecting hefty fees under false claims
UGC has publicly clarified:
- The University has recognition only under Section 2(f) as a private State University
- It never applied for 12(B) status
- It cannot receive central grants
Thousands of students may have suffered financial and academic losses due to misrepresentation.
Charges under PMLA — ED tightens legal grip
Siddiqui has been arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002).
ED’s allegations include:
- Forgery and fraud for land acquisition
- Money laundering through front companies
- Misusing an educational institution as a commercial and criminal shield
Sources say this scam represents a deep nexus of crime and influence and not a mere white-collar offence.
Threat to national security cannot be ignored
Agencies are alarmed by the convergence of:
- Land and financial fraud
- Money laundering with cross-border implications
- Suspected extremist network affiliations
“This is more than a scam — it’s a red flag for national security,” security officials warn.
What lies ahead? — More arrests expected
ED’s next steps:
- Forensic scrutiny of all land documents
- Examination of registry staff and local facilitators
- Deep audit of bank accounts and trust finances
Officials believe that:
“Several more names will emerge, and the network may be far wider than currently known.”
Bottom line — Crime under the garb of education
This case sends a strong message to private universities and edu-business outfits that treat:
- Land as a lucrative asset, and
- Education as a money-laundering route
Regulatory bodies say crackdowns will intensify and fraudulent players won’t find easy escape routes anymore.
