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Delhi HC issues notice in Al-Falah chair’s bail plea in terror-linked PMLA case
Delhi High Court issued notice on May 15, 2026 in a bail petition filed by Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al-Falah University, in a money-laundering case linked to the Red Fort attack. The court sought the ED's response to the trial court's May 3 order rejecting bail and fixed May 28 for the next hearing. The ED's probe involves FIRs by Delhi Police crime branch alleging NAAC accreditation fraud, and Siddiqui's assets worth ₹139 crore were attached in January.
Why It Matters
The development highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of alleged cross-border terror networks connected to educational institutions and the use of money-laundering laws to pursue bail decisions in high-profile terrorism-related cases.
Timeline
5 Events
May 28, 2026: Next hearing fixed
May 28, 2026
The High Court fixed May 28, 2026 as the next date of hearing for Siddiqui's bail petition.
May 15, 2026: Delhi High Court issues notice in bail petition
May 15, 2026
The Delhi High Court issued notice in Siddiqui's bail petition, seeking the Enforcement Directorate's response to the petition challenging the trial court's May 3 order, and fixed May 28 as the next date of hearing.
May 3, 2026: Trial court rejects bail plea
May 3, 2026
A trial court rejected Siddiqui's bail plea in the money-laundering case, setting the stage for further judicial scrutiny.
January 2026: ED charge-sheet and asset attachment
January 2026
The Enforcement Directorate filed a charge-sheet against Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in a money-laundering case linked to institutions run by him under the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, and attached assets worth ₹139 crore, including 54 acres of land within the Al-Falah University campus.
November 2025: Red Fort attack and related investigations
November 2025
Following the November 2025 Red Fort attack, investigators from the NIA and ED launched a major inquiry into alleged cross-border terror networks. Investigators linked the suspected suicide bomber Umar un-Nabi to premises associated with Al-Falah University, where some accused persons were employed. The NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Police also arrested two doctors associated with the institution: Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed.