ED won't accept Zakir Naik's proposal to respond to summons via video conferencing: Sources

The Enforcement Directorate is unwilling to accept proposal of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, seeking to record statement and respond to summons via video conferencing or e-mail, said sources.

The Enforcement Directorate on January 20 issued summons to Zakir Naik and his organization Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The foundation had first come under the scanner after the terrorist responsible for Dhaka attack earlier this year, in an online post had said, that he was inspired by Naik's speeches.

Naik has been out of the country since reports emerged that his sermons influenced a few Bangladeshi attackers, who targeted an eatery in Dhaka on July 1. The Dhaka cafe attack, where 10 gunmen had taken several people hostage had left 28 people dead.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had in November registered a case against Naik and others under sections 10 (Penalty for being member of an unlawful association) and 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities) and other various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said the spokesperson.

The Union Government had declared the IRF as an "outlawed organisation" under the anti-terror law for its alleged terror activities, following which the Maharashtra Government said it would keep a close eye on locals and organisations funding the IRF and would be treated as "anti-social elements".

However, the IRF said it would be arguing before a Central government tribunal against the validity of the ban imposed on it and invoking of the UAPA.