Delhi blast probe: ED searches Al-Falah University amid escalating funding inquiry

The university's Okhla office was among the locations that were raided by the ED teams.

Al-Falah came under the scanner after three doctors who were working there were identified as the suspects of the blast that had killed at least 15 people earlier this month.

The university came into the probe officers' scanner when about 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials were recovered from the rooms rented by Muzammil, a doctor who was associated with Al-Falah.

Days ago, the university's website was taken down after it received a show-cause notice from NAAC for claiming a false accreditation.

In the notice, NAAC has asked why no legal action should be taken against the university for "misleading the public" about its accreditation status, The Indian Express reported.

Meanwhile, Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, the founder and the managing trustee of the university located, has come under the scanner after it was found two of the three prime suspects are the faculties of the institution.

The probe agencies are probing into Siddiqui's 'vast corporate network' and an old criminal case accusing him and his associate- also named Javed Ahmed- of cheating, criminal breach of trust, using forged documents, criminal conspiracy, NDTV reported referring to sources.

Born in Madhya Pradesh's Mhow, Siddiqui is linked to nine companies which are all connected via the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which oversees the functioning of the university, NDTV report says.

Raising suspicion, all nine companies across sectors share the same address.

'We have no role': Al Falah University V-C speaks out

Al Falah University Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Bhupinder Kaur Anand on Wednesday said the educational institution has no link apart from professional ties with the arrested doctors.

Kaur said as quoted by Hindustan Times, "We are anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place and condemn the same... We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the Investigating Agencies.

"The University has no connection with the said persons apart from them working in their official capacities with the University."

In response to the allegations against the doctors arrested with huge amounts of chemicals like ammonium nitrate and weapons, Kaur said, "We strongly condemn and categorically deny all such false and defamatory allegations. No such chemical or material, as alleged by certain platforms, is being used, stored, or handled within the University premises.

"The University laboratories are used solely and exclusively for the academic and training requirements of MBBS students and other authorised courses."

The university said it is extending all forms of support to the security agencies in probing the Delhi blast that killed at least nine people and injured several others near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening.