Mumbai: A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday reserved till tomorrow its order on Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking a non-bailable warrant against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.
The central agency said it had sent summons four times since January to Naik, who is at present in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but he didn't appear before it.
The ED registered a criminal case for money laundering against Naik and others last December after taking cognisance of a complaint registered against him by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Hiten Venegaonkar, ED's lawyer, said Naik laid down conditions for appearance and tried to dictate terms to the agency. He demanded time, and once asked the agency to record his statement through a video link, the lawyer claimed.
The ED lawyer also produced an email sent by Naik.
"I have done nothing ever that is outside the framework of law or contrary to what the law of land stipulates. As currently I am not in the country it is taking a substantial effort on the part of my people to collate all the related data to be given to you," Naik said in the email.
India has an extradition treaty with UAE where Naik is residing, and court has the power to issue an NBW against him under PMLA, the ED lawyer said.
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