Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated the attachment of properties belonging to televangelist and controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik. The NIA action commenced after the special NIA court, on the request of the investigating agency last week, declared Naik a proclaimed offender.

“The process of attachment of Naik’s property under section 83 of the CrPC has been initiated by the NIA,” confirmed an officer from NIA, on the condition of anonymity. According to the officer, the action was initiated after the NIA court in Mumbai passed an order on July 21, declaring Naik a proclaimed offender.

The process of declaring Naik as proclaimed offender began after he failed to appear before the NIA even after several summons were issued to him. Naik was abroad when the NIA registered a case against him and other office bearers of his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) under Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other sections of the UAPA. However, Naik has not returned to India since the case has been registered against him.

Apart from NIA, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case of money laundering against Naik and his associate Amir Gazdar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.