New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a significant early-morning operation on Tuesday, conducting raids across 25 locations connected to Al Falah University in the Delhi-NCR region. The search operation, which began at 5:15 AM, forms part of an ongoing investigation into possible financial irregularities and violations of money laundering laws, officials revealed.
The targeted locations include properties tied to Al Falah University and its governing body, the Al Falah Trust. The raids are focused on unearthing links to shell companies, fraudulent financial activities, and other irregularities within the university’s administrative and financial structure. Sources indicate that the investigation is looking into the activities of key figures involved in managing the university’s financial and administrative operations.
Preliminary findings suggest that the university is linked to a network of nine shell companies, all registered at the same address. These entities are reportedly under intense scrutiny, with investigators noting the lack of physical infrastructure and legitimate business activities at their registered locations. Other troubling patterns include the discovery of a single contact number and email address being used across various companies and bank accounts, raising suspicions about the authenticity of the operations.
The ED has also identified significant discrepancies in the university’s filings with government bodies such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Documents suggest that the scale of reported operations doesn’t align with the actual number of employees and the financial records.
Further investigations have exposed irregularities in the corporate structure of the shell companies, including overlapping directors and signatories, which could point to a deliberate effort to conceal true ownership and financial transactions. Additionally, sources reveal weak or incomplete Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation and minimal salary payments made via official banking channels.
The Enforcement Directorate is also delving into claims made by the university about its affiliations with academic accrediting bodies, including the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the institution may have misrepresented its recognition status in official communications.
The investigation is expected to continue as the ED seeks to unravel the full extent of the financial and administrative discrepancies at Al Falah University. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact nature of the violations, but the operation signals a wider effort to investigate educational institutions involved in illicit financial schemes.
As the probe deepens, the Enforcement Directorate is focusing on identifying whether the university’s operations are part of a larger money-laundering network. The ED has also indicated that further raids could follow as more evidence comes to light.
