25-year Mhow fraud: Al Falah University chairman’s brother arrested in Hyderabad

Hyderabad/Mhow: In a major breakthrough to a long-pending case, the Madhya Pradesh police arrested Hamood Ahmed Siddiqui, brother of Al Falah University Chairman Javed Siddiqui, from Hyderabad in connection with a massive financial fraud committed in Mhow in MP 25 years ago.

The arrest coincides with ongoing investigations into the Delhi blast case, where the university and its chairman have come under scrutiny.

Accused behind bogus bank scam arrested after decades

According to Mhow Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) Lalit Singh Sikarwar, Hamood had allegedly established a fake private bank in Mhow in 2000, promising to double deposits and attracting hundreds of unsuspecting residents.

Once the scam surfaced that year, he fled Mhow with his family, evading police for more than two decades. “Hamood vanished in 2000. He was arrested in Hyderabad on Sunday,” the SDOP confirmed.

Fresh background checks lead police to Hamood

The arrest came after Mhow police began re-examining the background of Javed Siddiqui as part of a broader inquiry linked to the Delhi blast investigation.

During this review, police found that Hamood was still an absconder in the old cheating case. Officials discovered he had been living quietly in Hyderabad, working in share trading and keeping a low profile to avoid detection.

Investigators are now assessing his network of contacts over the years to determine who may have assisted him during his prolonged period underground.

University under lens in Delhi blast investigation

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have issued two summons to Al Falah University Chairman Javed Siddiqui for questioning in the Faridabad terror module case and two related cases involving alleged forgery and cheating by the university.

Officials said Siddiqui’s statement is crucial to address several inconsistencies regarding the university’s operations and the activities of individuals associated with it.

Links between university and blast suspects scrutinised

Investigators probing last week’s blast near the Red Fort, which claimed 13 lives and left several injured, are closely examining the role of individuals linked to Al Falah University.

Notably, Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime accused in the blast case, is a former student of the university.

Authorities are now reviewing institutional records, financial dealings and administrative approvals as part of a wider inquiry into possible links between the university and those associated with the terror module.