ED rejects Zakir Naik's plea to depose through Skype

Naik and his NGO have come under the radar of the investigating agencies for money laundering and allegations of conversion.

Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik, who runs the Islamic Research Foundation has informed the Enforcement Directorate that he is ready to give his statement through video-conferencing. An ED officials however informed OneIndia that the offer will be rejected.

An ED official said that video conferencing is not an option in such cases. "This is a serious case, and he is an accused in it. How can we allow him to record his statement from Saudi Arabia through video conferencing" an officer attached to the case said.

Naik and his Non-Governmental Organisation have come under the radar of the investigating agencies for money laundering and allegations of conversion. A letter sent by Naik's counsel to the agency said that his client is ready to assist with the investigation. "He is ready to give any statement through Sype," the letter had read.

Naik has also requested the agency to keep the probe under hold until the tribunal decides whether the government imposed ban on the IRF is legal or not. The government had banned the IRF under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Naik says that he should be granted some time before he could personally appear before the probe agency.

OneIndia News