In a major revelation by Zakir Naik’s aide, it has come to know that underworld don fugitive Dawood Ibrahim used to fund Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

Zakir Naik's chief financial officer (CFO) Aamir Gazdar revealed that, "Dawood Ibrahim has funded Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation.”.

Aamir Gazdar said that, "the said funding by Dawood Ibrahim used to take place through a mediator -  Sultan Ahmed."

ED officials said that they suspected, Gazdar handled the funds and transactions worth more than Rs 200 crore on behalf of Naik and his NGO.

On Feb 17, a special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in Mumbai had remanded Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, in to the custody of Enforcement Directorate.

"Enforcement Directorate custody granted till February 22," said the judge P R Bhavke.

"Apart from IRF, Naik was also running various trusts in India as well as abroad and he was in complete control over such instrumentalities which are being run by him in close cahoots with his confidante trustees Mohammed Naik (his brother) and Gazdar," the ED's remand application said.

Gazdar was director in at least six companies viz. Universal Broadcasting Corporation, Lords Production (both in UK), Harmony Media, Longlast Constructions, Majestic Perfumes and Alpha Lubricants (all in Mumbai).

Harmony Media used to produce videos of provocative speeches and were exported to Dubai for telecasting, the ED said.

By Premji