Faridabad, Haryana – Faridabad’s Al-Falah University has found itself at the center of a major controversy after admitting to displaying false and outdated Al-Falah NAAC accreditation information on its website. The institution recently submitted its response to a show-cause notice issued by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on November 12, acknowledging significant lapses in maintaining accurate accreditation status.
University Acknowledges Website Errors
According to senior officials from NAAC, Al-Falah University attributed the misleading Al-Falah NAAC accreditation claims to “oversight,” “website-design errors,” and “unintentional lapses.” The university expressed regret for the situation and confirmed that all misleading information has been removed from its website. The institution’s explanation centered on outdated webpages that were allegedly overlooked and staff members who failed to remove expired content.
The controversy surrounding Al-Falah NAAC accreditation emerged when the accreditation body flagged the university for displaying “absolutely wrong and misleading” information. Specifically, the institution had been showcasing an “A Grade” for its engineering college dating back to 2013 and accreditation for its teacher education school from 2011, despite NAAC accreditation being valid for only five years.
NAAC’s Response and Broader Implications
NAAC officials have taken a measured approach to the Al-Falah NAAC accreditation issue. One senior official explained that the university provided a lengthy explanation about why outdated information remained on their website, citing oversight and website-design mistakes. However, a second official noted that the university’s explanation “was not entirely straightforward.”
The official pointed out the challenges of manually monitoring thousands of institutions, particularly when expired claims are hidden in inner webpages. Despite these complications, NAAC has decided not to pursue further action against Al-Falah University at this time, though the institution remains under scrutiny for other matters.
Widespread Accreditation Misrepresentation
The Al-Falah NAAC accreditation case has prompted broader action from the accreditation body. Following the investigation, NAAC issued notices to approximately 25 other institutions found displaying expired accreditation grades, directing them to remove such information immediately. This initiative is part of a larger policy push to ensure transparency and compliance in how institutions display their accreditation status.
NAAC has consistently warned educational institutions about misrepresenting their credentials. In a cautionary note issued in March 2018, the body stated that displaying outdated or false accreditation information amounts to “misleading stakeholders” and makes institutions “liable to face stringent action.”
Connection to Red Fort Blast Investigation
The timing of the Al-Falah NAAC accreditation investigation coincided with a separate, more serious matter. NAAC’s notice to Al-Falah University came just two days after investigators linked several doctors from Al-Falah Medical College to the Red Fort blast that occurred on November 10, which tragically killed at least 12 people.
The National Medical Commission removed four doctors—Muzaffar Ahmad Rather, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, and Shaheen Shahid—from its medical register after they were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged role in the attack. This development brought unprecedented attention to Al-Falah University and its various operations.
Financial Irregularities and Leadership Arrests
The scrutiny of Al-Falah University extended beyond the Al-Falah NAAC accreditation controversy. On November 18, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of the Al-Falah group, in connection with a money laundering case. The investigation focuses on alleged fraudulent claims of accreditation and various financial irregularities within the institution.
The Association of Indian Universities has already taken decisive action by revoking Al-Falah University’s membership, signaling serious concerns about the institution’s operations and governance.
University Administration’s Response
On November 12, Vice-Chancellor Bhupinder Kaur issued a statement attempting to distance the university from the arrested doctors. She emphasized that the institution had “no connection” with them beyond their work in their official capacity. However, this statement has done little to quell concerns about the multiple investigations surrounding the university.
Looking Forward
The Al-Falah NAAC accreditation case highlights systemic issues in educational oversight and the importance of accurate institutional representation. While NAAC has accepted the university’s explanation regarding the false Al-Falah NAAC accreditation claims, the institution faces mounting challenges from multiple regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
The case serves as a cautionary tale for other educational institutions about the importance of maintaining accurate accreditation information and the potential consequences of misleading stakeholders. As investigations continue, the future of Al-Falah University remains uncertain, with its reputation significantly damaged by the combination of accreditation misrepresentation and its connection to serious criminal investigations.
