MUMBAI: A special court to hear cases under the PMLA here issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik today in connection with a money laundering case.

  • The Enforcement Directorate sought the NBW against Naik, saying that the preacher has not joined the investigation so far.

  • The central probe agency, which moved the court earlier this week, had said that although Naik was served summons repeatedly, he had failed to appear before it.

  • It said 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.

  • Hiten Venegaonkar, ED's lawyer, on Wednesday said Naik laid down conditions for appearance and tried to dictate terms to the agency. He demanded time, and once asked the agency to record his statement through a video link, the lawyer claimed.

  • Under section 15 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a person against whom summons is issued has to appear before the agency in person to record his or her statement, Venegaonkar said.

  • The ED lawyer also produced an email sent by Naik. "I have done nothing ever that is outside the framework of law or contrary to what the law of land stipulates. As currently I am not in the country it is taking a substantial effort on the part of my people to collate all the related data to be given to you," Naik had said in the email.

  • 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.

  • Naik, 51, 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.

  • Hhas been booked along with 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 the IPC, besides various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).