The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed a chargesheet before the NIA special court, Mumbai in a case pertaining to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his organisation Islamic Research Foundation along with Harmony Media Private Limited.
The charge sheet has been filed under the section 10 UA(P) Act and Sections 120B, 153A, 295A, 298 and 505(2) of Indian Penal Code.
In a press statement released regarding the same matter, NIA said, “He (Naik) has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures.
51-year-old Naik, who is currently living outside of India was charged by the NIA for his alleged influence over the terrorists responsible for a shootout in Dhaka, Bangladesh last year.
NIA registered a case against Naik on November 1, 2016 in Mumbai. Zakir Naik has been residing out of India since July 1, 2016 and has offered investigative agencies to question him through Skype or digital means, but agencies have been pushing Naik to come to India.
Even Union Home ministry stepped into the matter and declared Naik’s NGO an unlawful association.
In a rather accusatory tone, NIA statement said, “During the investigation, it was found that through his public lectures/speeches, accused Zakir Naik deliberately and maliciously insulted the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and non-Wahabi Muslims, particularly Shia, Sufi, and Barelwis, with intentions of outraging their religious feelings,” while accusing IRF and HMPL of providing the necessary modes and resources for propagating the same.
While raising questions over funding of IRF operations, NIA charge sheet also lists the particular speeches of Zakir Naik, which could hurt the religious sentiments, the statement said.
Courtesy: Two Circles