Imagine discovering that the degree you’ve been working so hard for might not hold the value you were promised. That’s the harsh reality for students at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, who are now grappling with the fallout of a major accreditation scandal. In a recent development, the university has brushed off a show-cause notice from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) by labeling the display of outdated accreditation on its website as a mere ‘oversight’ and a ‘design error.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: this isn’t just about a website glitch—it’s about allegations of financial irregularities, misleading students, and potentially duping them out of over Rs 400 crore.
The university’s response comes at a time when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is digging deep into the Al-Falah group’s operations. The group, which runs the university, a hospital, and a medical college, is under scrutiny for allegedly siphoning funds to family-linked entities. Contracts for construction and catering, worth crores, were reportedly awarded to companies owned by the family of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the group’s chairman. Siddiqui was arrested earlier this week under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following raids on 25 premises linked to the group. Investigators claim to have seized Rs 48 lakh in cash, digital devices, and documents pointing to shell companies and possible fund diversion.
And this is the part most people miss: between FY 2018–19 and 2024–25, Al-Falah institutions raked in approximately Rs 415.10 crore in education-related receipts. The ED alleges that these funds were obtained through cheating, forgery, and fabricated documents, particularly during periods when the university misrepresented its accreditation status. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has clarified that Al-Falah is recognized only under Section 2(f) as a State Private University and has never applied for Section 12(B) status, making it ineligible for grants under that provision.
The investigation, though still in its early stages, is serious enough to warrant custodial interrogations to trace further proceeds of crime and prevent asset dissipation. It follows two FIRs filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, accusing the university of making fraudulent claims about NAAC and UGC accreditation to lure students and parents.
But here’s the bigger question: How many students were misled into enrolling based on false promises? And what does this mean for their degrees and future prospects? While the university dismisses this as a simple error, the scale of the alleged financial misconduct suggests a deeper systemic issue.
What do you think? Is this just an innocent oversight, or is there more to the story? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts on this unfolding controversy.