Zakir Naik sent fourth ED summons, action to follow

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued its fourth summons to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, asking him to appear for questioning in a money-laundering case registered against him and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). According to the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED usually sends only three summons before initiating legal action. But the fourth summons has been issued after the first one was returned as his house was found locked.

The ED suspects alleged irregularities in the foreign funds received by Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) since 2013. The IRF and Naik allegedly received Rs 200 crore as donation from India and abroad between 2013 and 2016.

According to the source, if Naik fails to comply with the fourth summons, the agency can move the court to take action against him — including seeking the cancellation of his passport, attachment of his properties and issuance of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him.

“We sent the fourth summons as Naik’s residence was found locked when the first summons was issued. After that, we started sending the summons on his private e-mail address. The latest one has also been issued on his e-mail, and we will wait for his response,” said a senior ED officer on condition of anonymity.

Anticipating that Naik would not respond to the summons, the investigators added that they would initiate further action. Meanwhile, the officials said that Amir Gazdar, the close confidant of Naik, who was arrested on Thursday, was not co-operating during the questioning.

“Gazdar is not cooperating with us and is not helping in the probe. Hence, Naik’s questioning is crucial in the case as he heads the Islamic Research Foundation,” the senior ED officer said. Citing the involvement of Naik’s brother Abdul Karim Naik and sister Nailah Noorani in the laundering case, the ED has also questioned them. The investigators will again summon Karim this week for recording his statement.