India: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 16.4 crore (US 23 million) in two Indian cities belonging to Islamic preacher and televangelist Zakir Naik who has been accused of inciting youth to take up terror activities.

In a statement, the ED said the attached properties were based in Maharashtra’s Mumbai and Pune cities and that the action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reports the Hindustan Times.

The department had already made two provisional attachments worth Rs 34.09 crore in connection with the case which the agency took over on the basis of National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s October 26, 2017, charge-sheet filed before a Special Judge in Mumbai.

“Zakir Naik used Rs 17.65 crore for purchase of properties from builders – Salim Kodia partner in M/s MK Enterprises, Munaf Vadgama, partner in M/s Aafiyah Realtors, Sameer Khan, partner in M/s Pacific Orient Genesis Associates, Musa Lakdawala partner of M/s Lakdawala and Yash Associates in their projects Fatima Heights, Aafiyah Heights, Engracia and in a project at Bhandup, Mumbai,” said the agency.

The scholar came on the security agencies’ radar after some terrorists, allegedly involved in the attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July 2016, reportedly claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

On November 17, 2016, India declared Naik’s Mumbai-based NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.