NIA books Zakir Naik for inciting youth to take up terror

The NIA which filed a chargesheet running into over 50 pages also named the Islamic Research Foundation and the Harmony Media Pvt Ltd which is being run by Naik. The NIA accuses him of indulging in un

The National Investigation in its chargesheet has accused controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik of inciting youth to take up terror through his hate speeches.

The NIA which filed a chargesheet running into over 50 pages also named the Islamic Research Foundation and the Harmony Media Pvt Ltd which is being run by Naik. The NIA accuses him of indulging in unlawful activities, malicious acts and also insulting religion to disturb communal harmony.

While filing the chargesheet the NIA has relied on over 80 statements which were made under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

A statement made by Naik's sister under Section 164 of the CrPC in which she says that her brother had used her as a tool in a company set up by him is also relied upon by the NIA.

The NIA has booked Naik under Section 120-B for waging war against the nation, 295-A for deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings, 298. Utterances (speeches) with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person 10,13,18 of Sections 10,13 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The investigation revealed there are 19 immovable properties, including land and building, worth Rs 104 Crore connected with the accused. The source of these properties and the means of acquisition of these properties is being investigated, said NIA to ANI.

The 51-year-old televangelist, who is currently abroad, was being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He fled from India on July 1, 2016, after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches.

The NIA had on November 18, 2016, registered a case against Naik at its Mumbai branch under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His Mumbai-based NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has already been declared an unlawful association by the Union Home Ministry.

Naik is said to have acquired citizenship of Saudi Arabia but this has not been confirmed yet.

The controversial preacher has been accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

(With agency inputs)