Mumbai: In further efforts to bring controversial televangelist and head of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Dr Zakir Naik, back to India to join the investigation into alleged money laundering, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday approached the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court seeking issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him.
The special PMLA court judge P.R. Bhavake posted the matter for hearing on April 12. According to ED’s application, Naik had been non-cooperative and had not appeared despite repeated summons. The application said that Naik had not appeared before the investigation agency despite four summons issued to him and this had resulted in limited scope of investigation.
Apart from ED, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) — which is also conducting an investigation into the activities and funds received by IRF and Naik — had issued summons to Naik. Naik came under the scanner after a Bangladeshi newspaper reported that one of the perpetrators of the July 1 terror attacks in Dhaka claimed to have been inspired by him.
