NIA seeks extradition of Zakir Naik under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act

New Delhi, October 24: The National Investigation Agency on Monday submitted a detailed investigation report to the Home Ministry seeking extradition of the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAP) for his involvement in terror activities.

 

Notably, the central probe agency has completed the investigation against Zakir Naik and also has substantial evidence that he was involved in radicalizing Indian Muslim youth to join the jihad, terrorism, spreading enmity between religious groups and disturbing communal harmony and attempting forced conversions through his NGO - Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

According to the official sources, the prosecution sanction against Naik has been sought under the Section 18 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which relates to terror conspiracy, Sections 10 and 13 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which deals with being member of an unlawful outfit and Section 153 of Indian Penal Code, which deals with inciting communal hatred.

However, the Home Ministry has given the approval to proceed with the case to NIA and chargesheet will be filed with a special court later this week. Earlier, during the investigation, NIA revealed that Zakir Naik through his speeches radicalized and influenced several Muslim youngsters towards terrorist activities.

Several terror suspects, including Indian Mujahideen member Qateel Ahmed Siddiqui, alleged woman IS online recruiter Afsha Jabeen, and IS recruits Mudabbir Sheikh, Mohammed Obaidullah Khan, Abu Anas and Mohammed Nafees Khan, who were held in pan-India raids by the National Investigation Agency last year, had claimed that they were influenced by Naik's speeches.

On the other side, Zakir Naik has consistently denied the charges against him, which also include money laundering. His passport has already been revoked and his NGO declared an unlawful organization. Zakir Naik is currently abroad and has not returned to India since a Bangladeshi newspaper reported on his alleged role in inspiring the terrorists who attacked a Dhaka bakery in July 2016.