Five more properties of Zakir Naik under ED's scanner

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified at least five more properties belonging to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation.

ED sources revealed that the properties are based in Mumbai and Pune and after the completion of the verification process and gathering all the documents, the agency will move to attach them.

The list of properties also includes a land parcel on the outskirts of Mumbai, officials said. They also added that all the assets are registered in the names of family members and relatives of Naik.

The ED has now summoned the owners of the property for questioning and asked them to submit the documents of the said properties.

These properties are in addition to the ones that were identified by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is also probing alleged terror angle pertaining to Naik.

“The assets are located in plush areas of Pune and Mumbai and we are yet to ascertain their market value. The registration documents of these properties will help us get clarity and questioning Naik’s relatives may lead us to the source of funds,” said an ED officer, requesting anonymity.

The ED has already attached properties to the tune of Rs 18.3 crore owned by Naik and his non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in March in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against him.

ED suspects that these properties were bought using the Rs 200 crore sent by Naik between 2013 and 2016 to his close aide Amir Gazdar, who played a pivotal role in handling Naik’s funds in India.

Gazdar is also director in six of the shell companies of Naik that have been identified as Universal Broadcasting Corporation Ltd and Lords Production Inc Ltd, (both based in England), Longlast Constructions Ptv Ltd, Majestic Perfumes Pvt Ltd, Alpha Lubricants Pvt Ltd and Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, which are all based in Mumbai.

Gazdar is currently out on bail in connection with the PMLA case, and ED is likely to appeal against the order in high court soon.