NIA files chargesheet against Zakir Naik for spreading communal hatred, terrorism, forced conversion and radicalization

NewsBharati    27-Oct-2017
Total Views |

Mumbai, October 27: The National Investigation Agency on Thursday filed a chargesheet against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for radicalizing Indian Muslim youth to join the jihad, terrorism, spreading enmity between religious groups and disturbing communal harmony and attempting forced conversions. 

The central probe agency has filed the chargesheet before NIA special court in Mumbai in which Zakir Naik is charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Sections 120B, 153A, 295A, 298 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Earlier, on Monday this week, NIA 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.

The 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).

Therefore, after seeking the detailed report against Zakir Naik, Home Ministry immediately gave the permission to NIA to file chargesheet against the controversial preacher. NIA also revealed that Zakir Naik through his speeches radicalized and influenced several Muslim youngsters towards terrorist activities.

Importantly, 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.

Controversial preacher Naik left India on 1 July 2016, after he came into limelight as Bangladeshi agencies reported on his alleged role in inspiring the terrorists who attacked a Dhaka bakery in July 2016. Therefore, NIA registered a case against Naik at its Mumbai branch under various sections of the IPC and UAPA on 18 November 2016. Later, Naik’s NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) was declared unlawful by the Union home ministry in December 2016.

Also, several websites related to Naik and the IRF were blocked while the NIA approached YouTube and Facebook to take down Naik’s videos, arguing they were responsible for spreading hate, inciting terror and insulting the religious beliefs of several groups, including Christians and Hindus in India.