Zakir Naik left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to Malaysia (File Photo)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday moved an application before a special court in Mumbai seeking to declare controversial Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, a fugitive economic offender.

Zakir Naik, believed to be in Malaysia, is facing the charge of allegedly laundering money to the tune of Rs 193 crore.

The ED filed the application before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) wanting Zakir Naik to be declared as a fugitive economic offender under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

The court said it would hear the application on September 30.

Last week, the court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Zakir Naik in a 2016 money laundering case.

The central agency has so far arrested two of Zakir Naik's aides, Amir Gazdar and Najamuddin Sathak.

The 53-year-old radical television preacher left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to the largely Muslim Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency.

The ED charged him in 2016 on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The controversial preacher is wanted by authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches.

In July this year, the court issued summons against Zakir Naik after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the ED against Dubai-based jeweller Abdul Kadir Najmudin Sathak for allegedly assisting the preacher in raise and diverting funds.

Earlier, the agency had attached Zakir Naik's properties, including Islamic International School in Chennai, ten flats, three godowns, two buildings and land in Pune and Mumbai, besides bank accounts.