The bail was approved by Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary on March 8, with a Rs 1 lakh surety, after Siddiqui argued his UAE-based children couldn’t fly in due to Iran conflict-related flight issues. The ED contends the trial court dismissed their objections too lightly and that Siddiqui misled the bench about his family’s travel constraints.

This arrest on November 18, 2025, ties back to scrutiny of the Faridabad university over purported fake accreditation claims and financial misconduct. It forms part of a larger ED probe into a ‘white-collar terror’ syndicate connected to the November 10 Red Fort explosion.

ED lawyers opposed the humanitarian bail, highlighting the stable health of Siddiqui’s wife—who’s been under treatment since 2024—and the danger of him influencing key witnesses upon release. The agency has already uncovered significant laundering: Rs 45 crore earned via bogus student admissions, with Rs 139.97 crore in assets attached in January.

Allegations run deep, with claims that university money was routed through family firms and remitted overseas. On top of the ED case, Siddiqui faces separate fraud charges from two Delhi Police FIRs filed January 27 on UGC complaints, where he’s still detained.

The ED’s upcoming High Court challenge could set precedents on balancing personal hardships against probe safeguards. Stakeholders watch closely as this saga unfolds, blending family plight with serious national security undertones.

During an interaction with media, Pathan clarified his position: profound respect for the song exists, yet mandating it violates constitutional rights. Citing Article 25, he underscored the right to religious practice, explaining why some Muslim verses in the anthem pose a dilemma. ‘Freedom means choice, not diktats,’ he stressed.

He drew parallels with the national anthem, where voluntary participation reflects true allegiance. Pathan condemned branding non-singers as traitors, calling it a dangerous politicization of devotion.

The AIMIM leader didn’t hold back on the BJP, accusing them of a hate-driven agenda. Shifting gears to international relations, Pathan slammed the UN report on the Red Fort explosion, demanding zero tolerance for terror outfits backed by Pakistan. Recalling tragedies like Pulwama and 26/11, he lambasted India for engaging in cricket with a terror-sponsoring nation. ‘Government indifference to our martyrs is unforgivable,’ he charged.

On Mumbai mayor’s anti-infiltrator rhetoric, Pathan called it a distraction from real governance failures—rising pollution, crumbling roads. ‘Voters elected her for solutions, not scapegoating,’ he pointed out, questioning the lack of evidence on infiltrators.

Finally, on Latur’s communal tensions, Pathan warned of a toxic atmosphere fueled by BJP rhetoric. ‘Immediate stern measures against provocateurs are essential,’ he concluded, advocating for unity over division.

This broadened investigation stems from the Delhi blast that occurred on November 10th. Agencies are delving deeper into potential connections involving Umar Nabi, the alleged suicide bomber in the Red Fort blast, and his ties to Al-Falah University. Notably, approximately 30 doctors from Al-Falah University have already been questioned as part of this expanding inquiry.

The notice issued to at least one Delhi hospital specifically requests the identification of medical practitioners holding degrees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, or China. Investigators are keen to ascertain any links between these individuals and the prevailing security situation following the Red Fort incident. The urgency of the request underscores the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.

Further scrutiny is being directed at Al-Falah University. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recorded statements from 30 doctors, focusing on their interactions and observations regarding Umar Nabi. Reports indicate that colleagues described Umar’s behavior as often rude and noted that he restricted access to his room. Authorities are also examining a mobile phone belonging to Umar, seized by Jammu & Kashmir Police, which reportedly contains videos justifying violent extremism. The aim is to identify potential accomplices through this digital evidence. Several suspects connected to the Red Fort blast and a dismantled terror module have already been apprehended in connection with the case.

The investigation indicates a clear hierarchy and foreign connections within the group. Muzammil was reportedly managed by a handler named Mansoor, while Umar reported to Hashim. Both of these handlers allegedly reported to a higher-up operative identified as Ibrahim, who was responsible for coordinating activities across different regions. This structure points to a well-organized and far-reaching conspiracy.

Further details have emerged about the group’s international links. In 2022, Muzammil, along with Adil and Muzaffar, traveled to Turkey under the direction of Okasa, an operative linked to the Pakistan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP). Their objective was to secure passage to Afghanistan to meet a contact, but the plan was ultimately aborted when the contact refused to proceed after a week-long wait. Communications with Okasa were reportedly maintained through a Telegram ID, highlighting the use of encrypted channels for operational coordination.

Meanwhile, Umar was actively engaged in radicalization, consuming online content related to explosives. He procured necessary materials and electronic components from various markets, including those in Nuh, Bhagirath Palace, and Faridabad’s NIT Market. While the acquisition of these materials has been confirmed, specific details about their manufacturing methods remain undisclosed by authorities for security reasons. The NIA has taken Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, Shaheen Shahid, and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay into 10-day custody following their arrest by Jammu & Kashmir Police in connection with the wider terror module.

The Red Fort blast, which occurred on November 10th, tragically killed 15 people when an explosive device detonated inside a car near Gate No. 1. The vehicle was driven by Dr. Umar un Nabi, who also perished in the incident. He had allegedly purchased the car under a false name, connecting him directly to another accused already in custody. The NIA is diligently working to trace all individuals involved, from handlers and recruiters to financiers and facilitators, with more arrests anticipated as the investigation delves into international communication and funding networks.

Investigators have confirmed that the Hyundai i20 used in the devastating suicide attack was registered in Ali’s name. His arrest in Delhi followed extensive searches conducted by NIA teams shortly after they assumed control of the case from Delhi Police.

Authorities indicate that Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Samboora in Pampore, was in contact with the suspected bomber, Umar Un Nabi. Ali allegedly played a pivotal role in sourcing and arranging the vehicle that was ultimately converted into a deadly car bomb.

The NIA has now corroborated through forensic evidence that Umar Un Nabi, a former Assistant Professor from Pulwama, was indeed the individual driving the explosive-laden vehicle. Nabi was associated with the General Medicine department at Al Falah University in Faridabad.

Further intensifying the probe, investigators have also seized a second vehicle connected to Nabi, which is currently undergoing detailed examination for any additional evidence. To date, the NIA has recorded statements from 73 witnesses, including many who sustained injuries in the blast, as they work to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy and identify all individuals involved in this heinous act. The agency is collaborating with various police forces, including those from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, to pursue all available leads.