Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a final summons to Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik in connection with the case registered against him earlier this year. Sources in the ED said the agency will apply for a warrant against him if he does not personally appear in response to the summons this time.
In January, the ED had registered a case against Mr. Naik and several functionaries of his organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and initiated investigations into the funds received by the IRF. Since then, the ED has issued three summonses to Mr. Naik, who is abroad. Earlier this month, Mr. Naik had, through his lawyer, sought permission to give his statement via video conferencing.
“We have issued a fourth summons to Mr. Naik and have made it clear that he will have to appear before the investigating team in person. We have asked him to appear within seven days, failing which we will apply for a non-bailable warrant against him,” an ED officer said.
On February 16, the ED had arrested Amir Gazdar, a close aide of Dr Naik and Director, IRF, in connection with the case. He is alleged to have played a crucial role in the layering of funds received by the IRF. The ED has also questioned several other functionaries of the IRF over the last month, and financial transactions of the IRF, Harmony Television channel and other companies owned by Mr. Naik are currently under the scanner.
