Mumbai Police submits report on Zakir Naik

Maharashtra ATS had submitted a report in the past alleging that Al-Birr Foundation has a “close connection” with Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation.

Naik had a lengthy interaction with Indian media via Skype from Saudi Arabia on July 15, rubbishing the charge that his sermons had inspired terror activity, including the Dhaka attack.

Naik, who is now overseas, has been facing heat over allegations of inspiring some of the Dhaka attackers through his speeches. “Certain activities are attributed to him as well”, Fadnavis said in a series of tweets.

This is one of the first legal actions initiated by the government against Naik, after he came under the scanner following the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka on July 1 as one of the attackers was said to have preached his quotation, the reports said.

“Many unlawful activities have been pointed out pertaining to the organisation (Islamic Research Foundation) of which Zakir Naik is the leader”.

The IRF has been asked to furnish details of its bank accounts, including the designated FCRA account, and amount of foreign contributions received and utilised by it since inception, official sources said.

The Mumbai Police also attached a report of the Kerala Police which has booked IRF men for converting people and pushing them in to ISIS.

Akhand Hind Party members protest at Borivali Police Station demanding arrest of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

“We have registered a case under Section 13 and 38 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act read with Section 120 (B) of IPC against four people, including Qureshi and Khan”, IE quoted Joint Commissioner of Police ( Crime) Sanjay Saxena as saying.

“This is fully permitted by our Constitution”, it said.

Meanwhile, in a statement IRF said all allegations levelled against Naik were “false and baseless”.

“Qureshi has never forced a single person into conversion against his or her free will, as it is against Islam”.

Hindustan Times reported that police action was taken after Mumbai Central resident Abdul Majid Abdul Kader filed a complaint against Arshid Qureshi, a guest representative officer with IRF and Rizwan Khan, who has also been linked to the foundation.