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New Delhi, April 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday moved court for a Non-Bailable Warrant against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for ignoring summons. ED had earlier issued four summons to Naik in connection with the money laundering case. The fourth summon was issued to Naik on February 27 through his lawyer and through e-mails to join the probe even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an Internet-based video link from abroad.
ED had warned that the fourth summon might be the last one issued to Naik and the agency had also indicated of moving court for an arrest warrant if the summons were being ignored repeatedly. The officials of ED earlier had not given permission for a video conference as such provisions are not permitted under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Also, the agency had made it very clear that it wants to question Naik face to face as the charges imposed on him and others are quite intense.
Earlier, Naik, through his lawyer, had made a proposal to depose via video link as he repeatedly said that he could be arrested by the ED just like his aide Aamir Gazdar. As per ED, Gazdar is the one who manages his illegal cash transactions despite fleeing from the nation. ” Naik is ready to give his statement over Skype or any other digital mode,” said Mahesh Mule the lawyer of Islamic preacher.
ED is investigating if the money had come from those who seek inspiration from the Islamic preacher or no. Naik has been on the darker side since Dhaka terror blast, also an accused of the Bhopal blast case along with two others had claimed to be inspired from his speeches, in which he used to speak against Hindu Gods.
NIA official was quoted by Hindustan Times, saying, Naik owns high-end flats in the financial capital of India and it is estimated to be worth 100 crores.
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