Mumbai: A special PMLA court today issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, in connection with a money laundering case.
The Enforcement Directorate had earlier moved an application in the court seeking NBW against Naik, on the grounds that despite repeated request and summons issued by the investigating agency, Naik had failed to appear before them and has not joined the investigation so far.
The court was informed that Naik needed to be questioned in connection with the money laundering.
The ED registered a criminal case against Naik and others last December after taking cognisance of an NIA complaint under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The ED is looking into the charges of alleged illegal funds laundered by the accused in the case and the subsequent proceeds of crime, thus generated.
The 51-year-old, who is said to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after some perpetrators of the Dhaka terror strike last year claimed they were inspired by him, has been booked along with the unnamed Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) officials under Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) of IPC, besides various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
