Al-Falah University Under National Scrutiny: Terror Links, Explosives, and the Delhi Blast Investigation

The Al Falah University campus is situated in Dhauj, Faridabad, Haryana

New Delhi:

Al-Falah University, a private educational institution located approximately 27 km from the Haryana-Delhi border, has gained national attention recently due to alarming developments including a substantial seizure of explosives and a devastating blast near the historic Red Fort that claimed nine lives and sent shockwaves across the nation.

In recent days, numerous law enforcement officials have visited the university campus in Dhauj, Faridabad, and interrogated 52 doctors. Investigators are gathering information about Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, and Dr. Umar Mohammed, who are suspects allegedly operating a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist cell that accumulated a significant quantity of explosives and was orchestrating a major attack in Delhi. This group has also been connected to the car explosion in Old Delhi.

The university administration has expressed concern regarding "misleading narratives" and refuted "false and defamatory claims." Management has clarified that the university has no association with the suspects beyond their professional affiliation with the institution. The university statement also emphasized that there are no suspicious chemicals on the university grounds, contrary to some media reports.

The University

Al-Falah University, extending across 70 acres in Dhauj, Faridabad, was established in 2014 and received recognition from the higher education regulatory body, University Grants Commission, the following year. The university operates under the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which was formed in 1995 and launched an engineering college in 1997. The university comprises various schools offering programs in medical science, engineering and technology, humanities, computer science, education, and other disciplines.

Rs 74 Lakh Fee For MBBS Course

The Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre has been providing MBBS degrees since 2019. The medical college includes an affiliated 650-bed hospital. According to its website, it can accommodate 200 students for the MBBS program. The university charges Rs 16.37 lakh for each of the first four years of the course and Rs 9 lakh for the final year, totaling Rs 74.50 lakh for the complete program. The annual hostel fee is Rs 3 lakh. Al Falah University has a considerable number of Kashmiri students, with some estimates suggesting they comprise around 40 percent of the student population.

An Explosives Haul, And A Blast

Al-Falah University became headline news following a massive seizure of explosives in Faridabad. Approximately 2,900 kg of bomb-making material, believed to be ammonium nitrate, was discovered in rooms rented by Muzammil, a physician associated with Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, outside the campus premises. Another doctor at the medical college, Dr. Shaheen, was apprehended after assault rifles and other weapons were found in her vehicle.

Shortly after this news emerged, a vehicle exploded near the Red Fort. Reports indicate that the driver was Dr. Umar, who also worked at Al-Falah.

The University's Response

Al-Falah University's Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr) Bhupinder Kaur Anand, has stated that the institution was "deeply saddened and anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place" and condemns these actions. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people affected by these distressing events. We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the Investigating Agencies. We wish to make it clear that the University has no connection with the said persons apart from them being working in their official capacities with the University," the university management has declared.