Zakir Naik's account received Rs 60 crore over three years from foreign companies: Mumbai Police

The Mumbai police investigation has revealed that funds close to Rs 60 crore were transferred into the accounts of televangelist Zakir Naik and his relatives in the last three years from three different countries. The probe also discovered that the money was initially transferred to Naik’s account after which he transferred the money to five accounts belonging to his relatives, reported The Times of India. The police still has no knowledge regarding the purpose of the funds. They said that they will run an inquiry into these shell companies controlled by Naik and the banks which transferred the funds. The four offshore companies — a construction firm, a realty company, a solvency company and perfume manufacturing unit — allegedly conduct no actual business. [caption id=“attachment_2948822” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Zakir Naik. Reuters[/caption] According to a report by The Indian Express, the police was quoted saying, “We will investigate each alleged transaction and seek detailed statements from the bank. We will first record the statements of bankers and others, and then of Naik’s family once preliminary investigations are complete.” The police haven’t yet questioned the officials of Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), but confirm that the funds actually belonged to Naik and not his NGO. When contacted by The Indian Express, a spokesperson at the IRF said that they had no knowledge about the companies held by Naik or his family members. They confirmed that the IRF has received fund from foreign entities, but remained uncertain on the activities of Naik’s personal accounts. On Wednesday, the Mumbai police had filed a report on the IRF and alleged that Naik had used the foundation for ‘unlawful activities’. They recommended that the state should book Naik under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) . The report based on police investigations into Naik’s alleged terror links was submitted by Mumbai police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The 72-page report alleged that the foundation misused its status as an educational trust to convert people. It gave a platform to ’terrorist minds’ for propagating their ideology. It listed various Islamic speakers who have propagated terror and have been banned by other countries. Devendra Fadnavis had said, “In the probe, several new facts have come to light. Naik’s activities are illegal. Statements made by a section of youths, who had links with the Islamic State and Indian Mujahideen, also point to the unlawful activities of IRF. We will take the strongest possible action in consultation with the law and judiciary department and MHA.” The funding received by IRF has also recently come under the scanner. According to a report by The Hindustan Times, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police has started a preliminary enquiry (PE) into the foreign funding of the IRF. The Union Home Ministry is also conducting an investigation into the foundation’s funding under the The Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act (FCRA). The police will file an FIR against the foundation after the PE stands in the court of law. Naik came under the scanner following revelations that two of the young Islamist attackers, who killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, during a Dhaka cafe siege on 1 July, drew “inspiration” from his speeches. The Mumbai police is all set to book Naik under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.