The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Kashif Ali Nizami, the chairman of Al-Falah University of Science and Technology in Faridabad, Haryana, alleging that he facilitated the illegal transfer of funds to Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, the ED has provisionally attached assets worth ₹139 crore belonging to the university and individuals linked to Nizami.
The investigation, initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), revealed that Al-Falah University was allegedly used as a conduit for receiving and diverting funds from foreign sources, primarily through Hawala channels. These funds, according to the ED, were intended to support separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ED’s probe focused on the university’s financial transactions between 2014 and 2022. It alleges that Nizami, in collusion with others, received funds from various entities based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Oman. These funds were then allegedly routed through a network of shell companies and individuals to avoid detection and ultimately reach individuals involved in secessionist movements.
Allegations and Evidence
The charge sheet details how the university allegedly misrepresented the purpose of the received funds, claiming they were for educational purposes while, in reality, they were being used to finance unlawful activities. The ED claims to have recovered substantial evidence, including financial records, bank statements, and testimonies, to support its allegations.
The attached assets include fixed deposits, land, buildings, and other properties held in the name of Al-Falah University, Kashif Ali Nizami, and his associates. The ED believes these assets were acquired using the proceeds of crime and represent the ill-gotten gains of the alleged illegal activities.
“The investigation has revealed that Al-Falah University was a key player in a larger conspiracy to destabilize the security and sovereignty of India,” stated an ED official. “The funds received by the university were not used for legitimate educational purposes but were instead diverted to support separatist and terrorist organizations in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The ED’s action is part of a broader crackdown on individuals and organizations suspected of funding terrorism and separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The agency has been actively investigating various cases involving the illegal transfer of funds and the misuse of educational institutions for unlawful purposes.
Nizami and other individuals named in the charge sheet are likely to face arrest and prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED will now seek to confirm the attachment of the assets by a competent authority. This case highlights the ED’s continued efforts to combat financial crimes and disrupt the funding networks of terrorist organizations operating within India.
Further investigation is underway to identify and prosecute other individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy and to trace the remaining funds that were diverted to Jammu and Kashmir. The ED is also collaborating with other intelligence agencies to gather more information about the foreign sources of funding and the ultimate beneficiaries of the illegal transactions.
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