Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of controversial Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, has told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he gave Dr. Naik a ‘friendly’ loan of ₹90 lakh as he was a respectable person. Mr. Gazdar has been arrested by the ED.
According to his statement to the ED, Mr Gazdar heard of Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik as he was a famous person known to be an orator and used to preach on Islam. He said he met Dr Naik in 2003 for his son’s admission in Islamic International School, Dongri.
The complaint filed by the ED claims Mr. Gazdar and his wife were told during an interview for the admission of his son in Islamic International School that they would have attend lectures and video recordings of Dr. Naik and other speakers by the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). They were told it was compulsory for both parents to attend the meetings twice a month.
He said Dr. Naik requested him to be a director in Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, which produced videos of his speeches. He agreed and paid ₹40,000 for the company’s formation. He also gave Dr. Naik a loan of ₹90 lakh in 2005-06 to start the firm. Mr. Gazdar said any papers signed by him which connect him to other companies are forged.
He said Dr. Naik had promised him a 1,000-sq.ft. flat in Mazgaon where he was planning a residential project.
