Al Falah University Chancellor's Brother Arrested in 25-Year-Old Fraud Case Amid Delhi Blast Investigation

The Delhi blast prime accused, Dr Umar Un Nabi, was a student of Al Falah University

Indore:

The brother of the chancellor of Al Falah University, linked to the Delhi blast probe, has been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police from Hyderabad in connection with nearly 25-year-old fraud cases, officials reported on Monday.

Authorities had announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for the capture of Hamood Ahmad Siddiqui (50), who is the younger brother of Faridabad-based Al Falah University's Chancellor Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, according to an official statement.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Yangchen Dolkar Bhutia informed reporters that the arrest took place on Sunday regarding three cases registered in Madhya Pradesh's Mhow town for alleged investment fraud amounting to approximately Rs 40 lakh.

"He allegedly collected money from people under the pretext of investment opportunities, promising 20 percent interest returns. After operating his company in Mhow for two years, he disappeared with his family during the third year," the official explained.

"A four-member team apprehended Hamood Ahmed Siddiqui in Hyderabad as part of our special operation targeting fugitives in longstanding criminal cases. These three cases were registered at the Mhow police station 25 years ago," she added.

The SP clarified that Hamood is the younger brother of Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, Al Falah University's chancellor, but emphasized that Jawad has no connection to the fraud cases registered at the Mhow police station in 2000.

The three cases against Hamood Siddiqui were filed in 2000 under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant legal provisions, the official stated.

Additionally, two separate cases were registered against him at the Mhow police station in 1988 and 1989 on charges of rioting and attempted murder, she noted.

"The Rs 10,000 reward for Hamood Siddiqui's arrest was announced in 2019," the official added.

Bhutia mentioned that Siddiqui currently operates a private company in Hyderabad involved in stock market investments.

Hamood Siddiqui originally comes from Mhow, where he served as managing director of an investment company around 1995. His wife and an associate were also on the company's board of directors, she explained.

The SP stated that while his large family once resided in Mhow, the accused maintained no contact with any town residents after leaving.

Earlier in the day, Mhow Sub Divisional Officer of Police Lalit Singh Sikarwar told PTI, "Hamood disappeared from Mhow in 2000 after allegedly establishing a fraudulent private bank and deceiving hundreds of residents with promises to double their deposits. He fled with his family shortly after the scam came to light, leaving authorities searching for him for decades. He was arrested in Hyderabad yesterday."

The arrest occurred after Mhow police began re-examining Jawad Siddiqui's background, revealing his local connections, the official stated.

A thorough review of family records indicated that Hamood had been evading authorities in the long-pending cheating case.

Investigators are now mapping Hamood's contacts and movements over the years to determine who may have assisted him during his time underground.

Al Falah University, located in Haryana's Faridabad district, is under investigation following the arrest of several doctors connected to the November 10 high-intensity blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which claimed 13 lives and injured numerous others.

Notably, the Delhi blast prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, was a student of Al Falah University.

The university recently issued a statement condemning the Delhi blast, affirming that it is a responsible institution that stands in solidarity with the nation.

An official stated earlier in the day that the Delhi Police have issued two summons to the Al Falah University chancellor regarding the ongoing investigation into the Faridabad terror module case and the two cases registered against the university for forgery and cheating.

The summons were issued after investigators determined that the university chairman's statement was crucial for clarifying several inconsistencies related to the university's operations and the activities of individuals associated with the institution.

Police sources indicated that summoning him is part of a broader line of inquiry that overlaps with the ongoing investigation into last week's blast near the Red Fort.

Several suspects linked to the blast are believed to have connections with the university, prompting investigators to examine institutional records, financial transactions, and administrative approvals.