“Fake Patients, On-Paper Doctors”: ED Exposes Al Falah University’s Fraud

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered shocking irregularities at Faridabad-based Al Falah University, revealing how its medical college allegedly deceived regulators to secure approvals and increase seats. In a chargesheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the agency detailed fraudulent practices during National Medical Commission (NMC) inspections, including the use of “on-paper” doctors and “fake patients” to artificially meet infrastructure and faculty requirements. Chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, arrested in the case, is accused of orchestrating these manipulations, which generated illicit proceeds exceeding Rs 415 crore through misleading admissions and fee collections.

Investigators found that doctors were listed under deceptive employment terms like “22 days punch” or “two days per week,” projecting them as regular faculty solely for regulatory clearances. In reality, these specialists rarely attended classes, treated patients, or engaged in hospital duties. Evidence from chats and records showed the Al Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre appearing “non-functional” just weeks before NMC visits, with no real patients, staff, or doctors present. Fake patients were reportedly admitted en masse prior to inspections to simulate operational activity and satisfy NMC standards.

A former nursing staff member alleged that 100-150 fake patient files were prepared daily under management instructions, further supporting claims of systematic fraud. These tactics allegedly helped the institution gain permission to expand MBBS seats from 150 to 200 during a June 2025 inspection. The ED has shared findings with the NMC, Income Tax Department, and Delhi Police, prompting scrutiny into the university’s compliance and potential revocation of approvals.

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The scandal is compounded by broader allegations, including hiring doctors without police verification—some linked to the November 2025 Red Fort blast—and false display of expired NAAC accreditation on the website to lure students. Siddiqui exercised dominant control over the Al Falah Charitable Trust and related entities, diverting funds through family-linked firms for construction and other contracts. The probe highlights a pattern of misrepresentation to stakeholders, regulators, and prospective students.

As investigations deepen, the revelations raise serious questions about oversight in private medical education. The NMC faces pressure to act decisively, while students and parents grapple with the fallout from an institution accused of prioritizing fraudulent gains over genuine healthcare training. The case underscores vulnerabilities in regulatory inspections and the need for stricter verification mechanisms to protect public interest and medical standards.

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