Religious Scholar Zakir Naik was charged with money laundering by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED), a financial crimes investigation agency, which said that several others have also been charged.
The charge sheet was filed in a special court in Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This is the second charge sheet in the case, but the first one filed against the controversial preacher.
According to BBC, Naik is accused of acquiring $28 million worth of criminal assets, which he has denied. He has also been accused of promoting hate speech and terrorism.
Zakir Naik’s assets are said to be valued at Indian Rs193 crore. His assets include 20 flats in Mumbai and Pune. The ED said that Naik diverted Islamic funds sent from all the world for the welfare of Muslims to buy personal property.
Naik is accused of raising Indian Rs65 crores from these countries between 2004-2017.
The ED last Friday arrested his close aide Najmudin Sathak, who assisted Naik in organizing ‘dubious’ funds from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait. Another aide Azam Gazdar was also arrested by the law enforcing department.
Naik is also said to have received Indian Rs49 crores from unexplained sources in the UAE which he used to buy 20 flats in Mumbai and Pune. 9 flats were bought at Fatima Heights and Aafia Heights in the name of his wife and children in Mumbai. 11 others were bought at Engracia in Pune.
The charge sheet was filed in a special court in Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This is the second charge sheet in the case, but the first one filed against the controversial preacher.
According to BBC, Naik is accused of acquiring $28 million worth of criminal assets, which he has denied. He has also been accused of promoting hate speech and terrorism.
Zakir Naik’s assets are said to be valued at Indian Rs193 crore. His assets include 20 flats in Mumbai and Pune. The ED said that Naik diverted Islamic funds sent from all the world for the welfare of Muslims to buy personal property.
Naik is accused of raising Indian Rs65 crores from these countries between 2004-2017.
The ED last Friday arrested his close aide Najmudin Sathak, who assisted Naik in organizing ‘dubious’ funds from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait. Another aide Azam Gazdar was also arrested by the law enforcing department.
Naik is also said to have received Indian Rs49 crores from unexplained sources in the UAE which he used to buy 20 flats in Mumbai and Pune. 9 flats were bought at Fatima Heights and Aafia Heights in the name of his wife and children in Mumbai. 11 others were bought at Engracia in Pune.