Trapped and how; Special Court orders radical Islamist Zakir Naik to appear on July 31 or face consequences

New Delhi, June 19: Coming down hardly on terrorist activities, the government has rolled its sleeves to eliminate terrorism completely. In what comes as a major news, the Special Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA) on Wednesday, ordered radical Islamist Zakir Khan to physically appear before the court on June 31 or face dire consequences.

 

In its order, the special court warned Zakir Naik that it will issue a non-bailable warrant if he fails to appear before the court on the scheduled hearing. This move came after the Enforcement Directorate filed an application seeking a non-bailable warrant against Zakir Naik.

Dearing deportation, Zakir Khan had appealed before the court that he would be willing to come back to India if the Supreme Court gives a written assurance that he would not be arrested and jailed till he is actually convicted.

Zakir Naik is facing charges on money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a prosecution complaint against Naik, who is believed to be in Malaysia. The agency filed the prosecution complaint under the PMLA before a special court in Mumbai and said it has identified proceeds of crime worth Rs 193.06 crore. Naik was booked by the ED in 2016 based on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) FIR.

In addition, he is also facing charges of inciting communal disharmony and committing unlawful activities in India. He is also facing probe both in India and Bangladesh in connection with the terror attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in July 2016. The two suspects in the terror attack had claimed that they were inspired by Zakir Naik's radical preaching.