According to the latest reports from Indian media outlets, the Indian Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge-sheet against the firebrand Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, accusing him of money laundering.
The charge-sheet was filed in a special court in Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and this is the first time that a charge-sheet has been filed against Naik.
Naik is accused of acquiring $28million worth of assets, which he has vehemently denied. Additionally, he has also been accused of spreading hate-speech and inciting terrorism by Indian authorities.
The ED has identified assets worth 1.93billion Indian rupees and attached properties valued at Indian Rs504600 in the case so far.
The attached properties include investments in various ventures such as mutual funds, Islamic International School building in Chennai, 10 flats, three godowns, two buildings, and land in Pune and Mumbai, besides 10 bank accounts, according to India’s financial crime investigating agency.
Mr Naik’s inflammatory speeches and lectures have incited a number of Muslim youths in India to do unlawful activities and committed terrorist acts”, ED told the court.
The agency has accused him of using funds from “dubious or suspicious sources” to buy property in India and finance events where he made “provocative speeches”.