ED files case against Zakir Naik's confidant Amir Gazdar

New Delhi [India] April 17 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday filed a prosecution complaint against Amir Gazdar, a confidant of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. The case against Gazdar was filed under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency had arrested Gazdar on February 16, following his involvement in "all the illegalities" at Naik's behest and instructions. According to reports, the 250-page charge sheet contains statements of five persons, including Gazdar himself, Zakir Naik's sister and an accountant of Naik's NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). The case against Gazdar is that he was appointed director in almost six firms started by Naik where the funds were laundered. The ED had registered a case of money laundering against Naik and others last December after taking cognisance of a complaint registered by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA had filed the case against Naik and some IRF officials under section 153-A of IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and the UAPA. (ANI)