Chargesheet filed against Naik aide

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday filed chargesheet against arrested close aide of controversial Islamic Preacher Dr Zakir Naik in connection with money laundering case.

The Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court judge PV Bhavake has kept this matter for hearing on April 17.

The ED officials submitted chargesheet of 245 pages in the court charging Amir Gazdar under the provisions of Section 3 and 4 of PML Act. The statements of Gazdar and other witnesses like Dr Naik’s sister and three others are included in the chargesheet.

The chargesheet came up against Gazdar a day after the court issued non-bailable warrant against Dr Naik, the founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). Dr Naik is wanted in this case and hence the NBW has been issued against him.

According to ED, Naik was at the helm of affairs completely controlling the affairs of the banned IRF. Naik had also formed dummy companies and in India as well as in abroad and Gazdar was director in six such companies. These companies are - Universal Broadcasting Corporation, Lords Production, (both in England), Harmony Media, Longlast Constructions, Majestic Perfumes and Alpha Lubricants (all in Mumbai).

The agency at Gazdar’s remand stage had claimed before the court that investigation revealed that huge amount of cash transactions without levying any trail of its origin or utilization were allegedly conducted by Naik and Gazdar.