New Delhi/NCR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday morning initiated a coordinated and large-scale search operation targeting Al-Falah University and premises linked to it. The agency conducted simultaneous raids at 30 locations across Delhi-NCR beginning at 5:15 am, covering institutions under the Al-Falah group as well as associated commercial and residential addresses.
Senior officials overseeing the operation confirmed that the searches are part of an ongoing probe into financial irregularities, layered transactions, alleged use of shell companies and suspected money-laundering activities. According to the agency, the inputs were significant enough to warrant immediate field action.
Multi-City Operation Focused on the University and Its Extended Business Network
Teams were deployed across Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram and other NCR pockets, conducting parallel searches at administrative offices, affiliated educational units, residences of key functionaries and business establishments linked to the group.
Officials indicated that the focus is on examining financial trails that point towards potential benami investments, questionable funding routes and the role of linked shell entities.
Formal Investigation Underway; Key Documents and Digital Records Seized
Sources confirmed that the ED has now initiated a formal investigation into the case. Several documents recovered during the search reportedly indicate patterns of financial discrepancies.
The agency has seized digital data, hard drives, mobile devices and transaction records, all of which will undergo forensic examination.
Investigators also recovered files that appear to have been modified or updated in recent months, suggesting a possible attempt to conceal certain activities.
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Probe Into Shell Firms and Suspected Layered Structures Intensifies
Preliminary findings suggest that certain networks allegedly connected to the University may have been used for routing funds through shell companies, generating fake invoices and investing in benami assets.
Discrepancies have been observed in the balance sheets and tax filings of some entities. The ED is additionally verifying whether any irregular foreign funding or overseas-linked transactions were carried out through these structures.
No Direct Impact on Students or Staff, Says Agency
Officials clarified that the operation is limited to suspected institutional irregularities and does not interfere with academic activities.
“The searches are restricted to organisational structures where financial discrepancies are suspected. Daily operations for students and staff remain unaffected,” an official said.
University Administration Claims Full Cooperation
In a brief statement, the Al-Falah University management said the institution is cooperating with the investigation and maintains that all financial records are duly filed. The management termed allegations of wrongdoing “unfounded,” though the ED has refrained from commenting on the claim.
Summons Expected; Investigation to Widen
Officials indicated that key persons associated with the University may be summoned in the coming days. Given the volume of documents and digital material seized, analysing transaction patterns and layered structures may take several weeks.
Probe Likely to Expand
With the initial searches complete, the ED is now mapping financial linkages and the broader corporate network tied to the University. If the documents and digital evidence substantiate the allegations, the case is expected to proceed under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), potentially extending the scope of inquiry to additional connected entities.
