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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's sister in connection with a money laundering probe against him and others.
Officials said Naik's sister, Nailah Noorani, met the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case at the agency's office in Mumbai, during which her statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
They said the agency wanted to question Noorani over the alleged fund transactions in her account and the firms associated with her.
NIA Issues Notice to Zakir Naik
This questioning came on a day when the NIA also issued a notice to the controversial Islamic preacher asking him to appear before it on 14 March in a case filed against him under anti- terror law.
The notice was served at the Mumbai-based residence of 51-year-old Naik, who is believed to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after his activities came under the scanner following accusations that he had inspired some of the terrorists who attacked a cafe in Dhaka last year.
Naik, the founder of proscribed Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has been asked to appear before the anti- terror agency at its headquarters in Delhi on 14 March, an NIA official said.
The notice was received by his brother, Mohammad Abdul Karim Naik, at his residence in Jasmine Apartments in Mazagaon, he said.
The Centre has declared IRF, an NGO based at Dongri in south Mumbai, an unlawful organisation under the UAPA.
Besides the IRF, Naik is also founding trustee of the IRF Educational Trust and the Islamic Dimensions Trust.
The televangelist is also linked with a slew of other entities like Peace TV, 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.NIA Official
The speeches of Naik are banned in the UK, Canada and Malaysia.
Naik has rejected all allegations of involvement in terror-related activities and opposed the ban on the IRF.
(With PTI Inputs.)
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