Al-Falah University loses AIU membership amid Delhi blast probe; website taken down: Report

Al-Falah University has lost its membership of the Association of All Indian Universities (AIU) after the NAAC issued a show-cause notice for false accreditation claims. The decision follows the arrest of three doctors in connection with ongoing investigation into the "doctor module" and the high-intensity explosion near Delhi's Red Fort.

After the Delhi blast on Monday, which killed 12 people and injured several others, three doctors connected to the university, were arrested. Officials also seized 2,900 kilograms of explosives after the uncovering of a "white-collar terror module" involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was among the arrested, was a teacher at the Al-Falah University. Following the arrest, the university also came under the scanner and investigators reportedly began scrutinising how the university became a safe haven for such individuals.

False NAAC accreditation claims

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) noted that the Al-Falah University, on its official website, publicly claimed that its three colleges – “Al Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC)” – were accredited.

However, the council revealed that the university had neither accredited nor applied for NAAC accreditation, and called the claims "absolutely wrong and misleading".

On the other hand, the university Wednesday said it has only a "professional association" with the two of its doctors arrested in connection with the blast and is deeply saddened by the incident. The official website of Al-Falah University – alfalahuniversity.edu.in/ – has now been taken down.

AIU’s response

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) said it treats all universities as members “as long as they remain in good standing”.

"Accordingly, the membership of AIU accorded to Al-Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana stands suspended with immediate effect…Further, it is informed that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana is not authorized to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university’s official website forthwith,” Times Now quoted the official statement.