NIA files FIR against Zakir Naik, conducts raids at IRF centres

The NIA team will investigate the Islamic Research Foundation run by Zakir Naik

Mumbai, Nov 19: A team of the National Investigation Agency reached the office of controversial Islamic preacher, Dr Zakir Naik and filed an FIR. The team would investigate the Islamic Research Foundation run by Naik.

It may be recalled that the NGO had been banned by the Union Government for five years earlier this week. The NIA also conducted raids in 10 different centres of the Islamic Reserach Foundation.

The ban imposed by the government has given the NIA a shot in the arm. Officials had on Wednesday indicated that there is a likelihood that an FIR would be registered against the NGO under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

NIA and Police teams at Zakir Naik's IRF office in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/rtI996aUpP

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 19, 2016

On Tuesday, the government imposed a ban of five years on the NGO for illegal activities. Sources say that the decision was approved by the union cabinet which was chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Naik's NGO has been under the scanner for foreign funding. Moreover there have been complaints that Naik's speeches had inspired several persons who taken up terrorism.

The issue came to light following the Dhaka Cafe attack where it was found that one of the terrorists had been inspired by Naik.

Further investigations conducted in India also suggested that the NGO was responsible for converting many to Islam. There were cases reported from Kerala and the police had investigated the same as well.

OneIndia News