Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail To Al Falah Group Chairman In ED Case Noting Wife's Stage-IV Cancer Treatment

A Delhi Court today granted interim bail to Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in a money laundering case, noting that his wife is suffering from Stage-IV metastatic ovarian cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan at the Saket Courts said that interim bail on medical grounds is a legal concept that allows a prisoner to be released from jail on medical grounds of his family members, particularly in the case of his wife.On January 16, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached land and buildings of Haryana-based Al Falah University worth Rs. 140 crore. The properties came under the radar of the security agencies following the Red Fort blast that happened in November last year. ED also filed a chargesheet against Siddiqui and his charitable trust.Siddiqui sought interim bail under Section 45 of the PMLA stating that his wife is suffering from Stage-IV metastatic carcinoma of the ovary and is undergoing aggressive third-line chemotherapy at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in the national capital. It was stated that the couple's three children reside in the UAE, with one son currently appearing for his Class XII board examinations and the others pursuing studies abroad, making it difficult for them to travel to India at present. On the other hand, ED argued that Siddiqui's wife had been receiving treatment since 2024 and her condition was stable. The agency also argued that other family members could assist her, and that Siddiqui's children could travel from abroad to provide support. It was submitted that the allegations against Siddiqui involve serious economic offences and money laundering of large sums, and that he could influence witnesses or hamper the investigation if released. Granting relief to him, the Court observed that the medical documents placed on record clearly showed that his wife was undergoing chemotherapy and required care and support, particularly as she was living alone.“The medical documents annexed with the application suggest that the wife of the accused/ applicant is suffering from cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy at the aforesaid hospital, and is taking treatment as advised. Further, the ailments and medical condition of the wife of accused/applicant is not disputed by the counsel for ED,” the Court said. Further, the judge observed that Siddiqui's children were residing in the UAE and one of them was appearing for board examinations, making it unreasonable to expect them to travel to India immediately.“Due to the prevailing condition of War, it cannot be expected from the children of accused/ applicant to visit India for the chemotherapy of the wife of the accused/ applicant scheduled for 12.03.2026. Further, the objection raised on behalf of ED regarding the offence in question, the prosecution complaint (PC) has already been filed and the matter is listed for arguments on point of cognizance,” the Court said. “Moreso, the wife of accused/ applicant requires care and support, cannot be ignored and it is also a fact that she does not have her family or children besides her and it is only the accused applicant being her husband who is required to give her support,” it added. The 54 acre land of the university in Faridabad's Dhauj area and its buildings have been attached as part of a provisional order issued under the PMLA. The ED arrested Siddiqui in November last year on money laundering charges linked to cheating of students enrolled in the educational institutions run by his Al Falah Charitable Trust.The agency's probe into the Al Falah Group stems from two FIRs lodged by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, alleging that Al Falah University projected false and misleading claims about having NAAC accreditation and UGC recognition to mislead students, parents and other stakeholders for unlawful gains. The varsity's role came under scrutiny during probe into a “white-collar terror' module.”Two doctors associated with the University, Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed, were arrested by the NIA and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Another doctor associated with the university's hospital, Umar-un-Nabi, was identified as the suicide bomber who drove an explosive-laden car that blasted outside Red Fort. Counsel for Accused: Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana brief by Advocates Vishvendra Tomar, Abhishek Singh, Talib Mustafa, Harsh Srivastava, Chetan Nagpal and Ketan Roy.

Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail To Al Falah Group Chairman In ED Case Noting Wife's Stage-IV Cancer Treatment

Nupur Thapliyal

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