Zakir Naik skips ED summon again

slamic preacher Zakir Naik on Tuesday skipped the summon issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Last week, the ED had sent the second summon to Naik with an instruction to remain present at its Mumbai office on January 31.

Developments so far:

1. This summon was handed over to Islamic Research Foundation (IRF)'s legal advisor Shaukat Jamati, who had been interrogated for six hours.

2. According to the sources, "After issuing summon to Naik, we did not get any acknowledgement from him. Even he did not sought more time to present himself."

3. Despite several attempts by India Today, the legal advisor declined to comment on Naik's plan.

4. Meanwhile, knowing that Naik may not come to India



and face the investigation, the ED has now summoned his brother Mohammad Naik for the first week of February. Among five brothers and sisters, Mohammad is the eldest. He is also the founder and trustee of the IRF.

5. On Tuesday, Jamati was interrogated for six hours by the ED officials, who denied any linkages between the IRF and terrorist organisation ISIS.

6. The ED has also sought bank statements and income tax returns of the IRF and Naik's family members for the last 10 years from Jamati.

7. In December 2016, the agency had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against the IRF and Zakir Naik, with the probe revolving around Naik's terror linkages, funding and investments in India and abroad.