The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 16.40 crore in Mumbai and Pune under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a terror case relating to Salafist terror preacher Zakir Naik.
The ED had earlier made two Provisional Attachments worth Rs 34.09 crore. The probe revealed that funds to the tune of Rs 49.20 crore were received in the bank accounts of accused Zakir Naik in India from his Dubai accounts. The origin of these deposits was from unknown sources, officials in the ED said.
According to the NIA chargesheet, Naik deliberately and maliciously insulted the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and non-Wahabi Muslims, particularly Shia, Sufi and Barelwis, with intention of outraging their religious feelings.
Naik used the funds to the tune of Rs 17.65 crore for purchase of properties from builders like Salim Kodia, partner in MK Enterprises; Munaf Vadgama, partner in Aafiyah Realtors; Sameer Khan, partner in Pacific Orient Genesis Associates; and Musa Lakdawala, partner of Lakdawala & Yash Associates in their projects, including Fatima Heights (Mumbai), Aafiyah Heights (Mumbai), ENGRACIA (Pune) and in a project at Bhandup, Mumbai.
In order to disguise the origin of funds and real ownership of properties, the initial payment made from the account of Naik were refunded and diverted to the accounts of his wife, son and niece and rerouted again for the purpose of making bookings in the name of family members rather than Zakir Naik. This has been revealed from the money trail established by ED. The total attachment as proceeds of crime in this case is Rs 50.49 crore, including the present attachment.
The ED had initiated investigation on the basis of chargesheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 26, 2017 before the court of Special Judge, NIA, Mumbai.
Naik-led Islamic Research Foundation and Harmony Media have been instrumental in maximum circulation of such incriminating speeches. For such activities, Naik was receiving funds from Islamic Research foundation as well as other unknown sources.
