Al-Falah University Under Fire: Accreditation Scandal and Terror Links Shake Faridabad Institution

Faridabad’s Al-Falah University (AFU), once promoted as a progressive private institution serving rural and minority communities, now finds itself at the centre of two explosive controversies — an alleged accreditation fraud and a suspected terror link tied to the recent Red Fort blast in Delhi. What began as an inquiry into misleading academic claims has evolved into a full-blown investigation spanning from university governance to national security.

The Al-Falah University in Faridabad.(PTI) | LiveMint

The Rise of Al-Falah University

Founded in 2014 under the Haryana Private Universities Act, Al-Falah University emerged from the Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology, which had operated since 1997. Managed by the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, the university also oversees several colleges, including a medical college and a 650-bed hospital. It drew students from across northern India, especially from Haryana, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir, promoting itself as a hub for affordable education and professional training.

The NAAC Accreditation Row

The first signs of trouble appeared when the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) issued a show-cause notice to AFU on November 13, 2025. The notice accused the university of falsely advertising NAAC accreditation on its website despite not having volunteered for its first assessment cycle.

NAAC stated that two of AFU’s constituent institutions — the Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology and the Al-Falah School of Education and Training — once held “Grade A” accreditations, but these had long expired in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Yet, the university continued to display these grades publicly, allegedly misleading students, parents, and stakeholders.

Calling the act “absolutely wrong and deceptive,” NAAC demanded an explanation as to why disciplinary or legal action should not follow. It also warned that the council could recommend further steps to the Haryana government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) if the university failed to justify its claims.

The Red Fort Blast Connection

While the accreditation issue was unfolding, Al-Falah University’s name surfaced in an even graver investigation — the Red Fort car blast case in Delhi on November 10, 2025. A vehicle exploded near the iconic monument, and evidence soon pointed towards individuals linked with the Faridabad university’s medical college.

Among the key suspects were Dr Umar Un-Nabi, a pulmonologist from Pulwama, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, and Dr Shaheen Shahid, all associated with Al-Falah University’s medical faculty. DNA tests identified Umar Un-Nabi as the man found dead inside the blast vehicle, his leg wedged between the accelerator and steering wheel — indicating he may have been the driver.

Subsequent raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu & Kashmir Police uncovered explosive materials and communication devices on the university premises. Room 13 of Building 17 on the AFU campus was reportedly used by the accused for planning meetings and logistics. Investigators have described the case as a worrying instance of “white-collar radicalisation,” where highly educated individuals allegedly engaged in terror activities.

University’s Response and Denial

Facing widespread media attention, the university management has issued statements distancing itself from the accused. In an official clarification, Al-Falah University asserted that it “has no association with any illegal activity” and that the doctors under investigation were “employees performing professional duties.” It condemned the linking of the institution’s name to the blast as “baseless and defamatory.”

However, scrutiny continues to deepen. The university’s founder and managing trustee, Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, has also drawn attention due to previous allegations of financial fraud amounting to ₹7.5 crore. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly probing potential funding irregularities related to the institution’s operations.

A Crisis of Credibility and Security

The twin crises have triggered serious concerns across India’s academic and regulatory landscape. On one hand, the alleged misrepresentation of NAAC accreditation raises doubts about transparency and governance within private universities. On the other, the connection between an educational institution and a terror module exposes a disturbing new front in the battle against radicalisation.

Experts argue that the misuse of educational spaces — especially those enjoying autonomy and charitable trust status — can provide fertile ground for illicit activities if oversight is weak. The Ministry of Education and UGC are now reportedly reviewing procedures for background checks, faculty verification, and accreditation auditing across private universities in the NCR region.

Future Course of Action

Al-Falah University has been asked to respond to NAAC’s show-cause notice within a week and clarify its accreditation status. Failure to comply could lead to severe penalties, including the revocation of recognition or criminal proceedings for misrepresentation. Meanwhile, the NIA’s ongoing probe into the Red Fort blast continues to focus on potential sleeper networks operating under professional cover.

For current and prospective students, the uncertainty surrounding the university’s legitimacy poses immediate concerns. Employers and international institutions may hesitate to recognise degrees from AFU until clarity emerges — threatening both academic futures and institutional trust.

The MGMM Outlook

Al-Falah University, once touted as a beacon for minority education, now stands exposed as a symbol of deceit and danger. The revelation that it falsely claimed NAAC accreditation while parading expired grades reflects a deeper rot in its institutional ethics. Such deliberate misrepresentation is not a minor clerical lapse but an act of betrayal against students, parents, and the education system itself. The supposed charitable and academic image of the university now lies shattered, replaced by a record of fraud, denial, and deflection — a pattern too common among institutions hiding behind minority or social service labels while exploiting public trust.

More disturbing, however, is the emergence of Al-Falah University as a potential breeding ground for terror-linked individuals. The involvement of its doctors and faculty in the Red Fort blast investigation is a chilling reminder of how extremist ideologies can infiltrate even educated circles. The idea of a university campus — a place meant for learning — being used as a meeting point for terror logistics is nothing short of abhorrent. It exposes the threat of “white-collar jihad,” where privileged professionals manipulate intellectual spaces for violent ends. This case must serve as a wake-up call: institutions that misuse academic freedom for radical purposes deserve not sympathy but strictest condemnation and legal accountability.

(Sources: LiveMint, Hindustan Times, India Today)