New Delhi: Very few had heard the name of Al-Falah University till the other day. Now, the private university in Haryana is under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The institution, located in Faridabad’s Dhauj village, is the focus of NIA’s investigation into the November 10 car explosion near Red Fort which killed 13 people and left many more injured. Dr Umar Nabi, who carried out the deadly blast, was employed there, while two of his accomplices — Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Shahid – also worked there and are part of a ‘white collar’ terror network allegedly involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed.
On Thursday, the university was issued a showcause notice by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for displaying false accreditation on its website.
NAAC pointed out that the Al-Falah University had claimed two of its institutes — Al-Falah School of Engineering & Technology, and Al-Falah School of Education & Training — were accredited by NAAC, but it had expired long back.
Neither college has volunteered for the Cycle-2 Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) process of NAAC, the notice said.
“This is absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders,” the showcause notice read. “Why should the University not be disqualified for future consideration for Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) by NAAC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the UGC and NMC to withdraw recognition of the University’s programmes?”
The website has been taken down for the false accreditation claim.
But troubles don’t end there for the under-scanner university. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will conduct a probe into the into the financial transactions of Al-Falah University and individuals allegedly involved in the Red Fort blast case, India Today reported citing sources.
The decision was taken following a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the ED director.
More than 50 employees of the university and doctors associated with the hospital in its premises have been questioned so far.
The university’s recruitment process is also being studied.
Building 17, Room 13 the ‘command post’
Building No. 17 at Al-Falah University has emerged as a key location in the probe, with investigators finding out that Room 13 in the building served as a planning base for the terror module.
Officials said the room was their ‘command post’ and was used for meetings, coordination and storing digital data for their operation.
Around 350 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized in Faridabad the day before the Red Fort blast, while 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered from different locations in Haryana, UP and Jammu & Kashmir.
