Enforcement Directorate: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued fresh summons to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in connection with its money laundering probe case against him and others.
As per the officials, the agency has issued fourth summon through his lawyer as well e-mail asking to cooperate in the investigation even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an internet-based video link from abroad.
Enforcement Directorate may move to court for an arrest warrant against Naik
They suggested that the recent summon could possibly be the last issued to him after that the agency would move court for an arrest warrant against him, if he again chooses to overlook the summons.
The ED officials had earlier inability to permit the video link proposal as such a remedy is not allowed under the provision of the prevention of Money Laundering Act
Besides, they said, the agency wants to question Naik in person given the serious charges of money laundering being investigated against him and others.
Zakir is ready to give any statement via Skype or any other electronic media, says his lawyer
Naik had made a proposal via his lawyer to depose via video link some days back even as he apprehended that could be arrested by the agency like his aide Aamir Gazdar.
“My client is willing and ready to give any statement before you via Skype or any other mode of electronic media to assist you in your investigation,” a letter sent by Naik, also the founder of NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), through his lawyer Mahesh Mule had said.
