ED moves court seeking non-bailable warrant against Zakir Naik

New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday moved an application in special PMLA court of Mumbai, seeking issuance of non-bailable warrant against Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) founder Zakir Naik.

An FIR against Naik and his associates was registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in November last year.

The physician-turned-preacher has been booked for allegedly promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have also been slapped on him.

The Centre had declared Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), an NGO based at Dongri in south Mumbai, an unlawful organisation under the UAPA.

Naik first shot into the limelight when his name cropped up during the investigations into the terror strike at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 1. One of the terrorists involved in that attack allegedly claimed to have been inspired by Naik's speeches.

Naik, who is believed to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after his activities came under scanner, is the founding trustee of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), IRF Educational Trust and the Islamic Dimensions Trust.

Besides, Naik has close connections with Peace TV channel, Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, Longlast Constructions Pvt Ltd, Right Property Solutions Pvt Ltd, Galaxy Multichannel Network Pvt Ltd, Majestic Perfumes Pvt Ltd, and Alpha Lubricants Pvt Ltd.

The Enforcement Directorate has also lodged a money-laundering case against Naik and his NGO.