Islamic preacher’s brother involved in swindling cash: ED

Mumbai: Investigation in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has revealed the alleged involvement of his brother Mohammad Abdul Karim Naik in the swindling activity, sources said.

Karim Naik was the “second in command” and was associated with several trusts where the donated money was swindled, ED sources said.

The officials said that apart from Naik, his family members were also part of money laundering with ED also questioning his sister Nailah Noorani. The ED had summoned her for recording her statement once and the officials confirmed that they would continue with round two next week.

Officials stated the role of Naik’s brother was established during Amir Gazdar’s questioning since the last week of January. Gazdar was being questioned over the past couple of weeks and was arrested on Thursday night after the ED officials seized several documents, which he had signed in the capacity of a director of six of the companies floated by Naik to accept donations.

“Karim Naik is also an important link in the case and we are investigating his specific role. We have recorded his statement twice and there has been contradiction in whatever he had told us. We will summon him again in the coming week for questioning further,” said a senior ED officer.

The officials have not ruled out further arrests in the case, adding that they were studying the trust’s documents seized by the ED officials. Sources said these trusts received money that was received as donations by the dummy companies established by Naik.

These companies were identified as Universal Broadcasting Corporation Ltd and Lords Production Inc Ltd, both based in England and Longlast Constructions Ptv Ltd, Majestic Perfumes Pvt Ltd, Aplha Lubricants Pvt Ltd and Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, all based in Mumbai.

The investigators said that after the donations were received in the bank accounts of Naik, his non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Harmony Media Pvt Ltd from India and overseas, the money was laundered via the above-mentioned companies and several trusts and was used in buying properties, details of which are being gathered.