Zakir Naik's NGO banned for five years

The government has banned controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik's NGO the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years.

New Delhi, Nov 15: The government has banned controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik's NGO the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years. While imposing the ban, the government termed the NGO as illegal.

Last month the government has put IRF Educational Trust, promoted by Zakir Naik, under prior permission category, thus preventing it from receiving foreign funds without getting nod from the central government.

In a gazette notification, the Home Ministry said that on the basis of records available and reports received from intelligence agencies, it found that the IRF Education Trust has violated various provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA) 2010.

"Now, therefore, the central government in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 11 of the FCRA 2010, hereby specifies that the IRF Education Trust shall obtain prior permission of the central government on each occasion before accepting any foreign contribution in accordance with the provisions of section 12 of the Act and rules made thereunder," the notification said.

The move came after different investigations found Naik to be "involved" in utilising funds meant for his NGOs for alleged radicalisation of youths and "inspiring" them into terror activities, official sources said.

Government was also in the process of cancellation of the FCRA registration of Islamic Research Foundation, another NGO promoted Zakir Naik, and a final show cause notice to the organisation had been issued.

The Government had also planned to declare IRF as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and a nod from the Union Cabinet is awaited for it.

OneIndia News