Al-Falah University, which is under scrutiny in connection with the Delhi blast probe as three doctors arrested in connection with the "white-collar terror module" were linked to the university, appears to be in further trouble as the founder and managing trustee of the university, Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, seems to have a criminal past.
According to media reports, a parallel investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast is also looking into an old criminal case for which Siddiqui and one of his associates faced a three-year prison term. An NDTV report said they were accused in a ₹7.5 crore fraud case.
Siddiqui is linked to as many as nine firms, all of which have connections to Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which oversees the functioning of the university.
Siddiqui was accused of coming up with fake investment firms and urging people to deposit money in the Al-Falah group of firms. The funds gathered from people, amounting to ₹7.5 crore, were diverted to the personal accounts of the accused.
He was arrested in 2001 in connection with the case. Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea in 2003. He finally managed to secure bail in 2004 after he agreed to refund people whom he had cheated.
NAAC show-cause notice
Meanwhile, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University for misleading the people with false accreditation details.
In the show-cause notice, NAAC said it has noted that Al-Falah University, "which is neither accredited nor applied for accreditation by NAAC", has publicly displayed on its website that "Al-Falah University is an endeavour of Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been running three colleges on the campus, namely Al Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC)."
"This is absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders," read the show-cause notice.
Demanding an explanation from the university, NAAC directed it to remove the accreditation details from its website and any other publicly available or distributed documents.
AIU suspends university's membership
In another setback, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on Thursday suspended membership of Al Falah University, saying it "does not appear to be in good standing."
A registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the AIU offers a forum for administrators and academicians of member universities to exchange views and discuss matters of common concern.
AIU Secretary General Pankaj Mittal, said, "It is intimated that, as per the bye-laws of the AIU, all universities shall be treated as members as long as they remain in good standing. However, it has come to notice that Al Falah University does not appear to be in good standing. Accordingly, the membership of AIU accorded to Al Falah University stands suspended with immediate effect."
According to PTI, she said, Al Falah University is not authorised to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university's official website.
