NIA Files FIR Against Zakir Naik, Conducts Raids At 10 IRF Centres In Mumbai

National Investigative Agency (NIA) officials along with teams of Mumbai police conducted raids at 10 offices of the Islamic Research Foundation, NGO belonging to the controversial televangelist Zakir Naik.

“This is part of legal process. We have been scanning the tapes and the raids are being conducted to look for further evidence," India Today quoted NIA DG as saying. Naik, who is abroad, will be called for questioning soon, the agency has informed.

The NIA had on Friday filed an FIR against Naik under Section 153A and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The agency, in its FIR, alleged Naik of inciting Muslims in India to participate in violent activities including acts of terror.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs had declared Islamic Research Foundation an unlawful association under the anti-terror law. The foundation was banned for five years for its alleged links to terror activities.

The decision to ban the organisation was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justifying the ban imposed on IRF, the government had said that Naik has been extolling Osama Bin Laden and proclaiming that every Muslim should be a terrorist.