The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah University, in connection with an alleged forgery and regulatory violation case that has unfolded in the aftermath of heightened scrutiny into the private university’s functioning.
The arrest follows two FIRs registered by the Crime Branch on a complaint filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which flagged serious irregularities and suspected falsification of records related to the institution’s academic and administrative operations. Officials said the cases were lodged after a preliminary inquiry pointed to forged documents and procedural breaches that may have enabled the university to continue certain activities in violation of prescribed norms.
Investigators said the action was taken shortly after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated proceedings in the matter, indicating possible financial and compliance-linked offences beyond academic irregularities. Searches and document verification carried out earlier by central agencies are understood to have provided the Crime Branch with material that strengthened the case for custodial interrogation.
According to police sources, the probe gathered pace following the blast near the Red Fort, after which multiple institutions operating in the region came under the scanner as part of a wider security and compliance review. During this process, UGC officials reportedly detected discrepancies in Al Falah University’s records, prompting a formal complaint to Delhi Police.
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The FIRs cite alleged forgery, misrepresentation, and irregularities in approvals and filings connected to the university’s operations. Officers said documents submitted to regulators are suspected to have been altered or fabricated, raising concerns about governance standards at the institution. Police are also examining whether the alleged acts were carried out by a wider network of officials or facilitators associated with the university.
Mr. Siddiqui was produced before a local court on Wednesday, which granted the Crime Branch four days of police custody to allow sustained questioning and recovery of documents. Investigators plan to confront the accused with seized records, digital trails, and statements collected from regulatory officials during the inquiry.
Officials familiar with the investigation said the custodial period would be used to establish the decision-making chain within the university, trace the origin of disputed documents, and determine whether financial transactions linked to the alleged forgery violated other statutes. The role of intermediaries, if any, is also expected to be examined.
The case marks a significant escalation in enforcement action against private higher education institutions found to be flouting regulatory norms. Over the past few years, the UGC has repeatedly warned universities against misrepresentation and unauthorised expansion, cautioning that violations could invite criminal proceedings in addition to administrative penalties.
While the university has not issued a detailed public response so far, sources said it is expected to contest the allegations during the course of the investigation. Police, however, maintain that the arrests and searches are based on documentary evidence and statutory complaints, and that further action will depend on the findings emerging from custodial questioning.
Authorities said additional details are likely to emerge as the investigation progresses, with more summons and searches not being ruled out. The case continues to be monitored closely by multiple agencies given its regulatory, financial, and security-linked dimensions.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
