Dr Zakir Naik (file photo)
New Delhi: Televangelist Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) is unlawful, said the Tribunal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in its order confirming the government notification on it dated November 15, 2021.
The Tribunal said it has found enough reasons for its decision confirming the Government of India's ban on the association for a period of five years, according to IANS.
On March 30, 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs notification said the Tribunal, exercising the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 4 of the said Act, passed an order on March 9, 2022, confirming the declaration made in the said notification.
The Tribunal reportedly had gone through the evidence finding sufficient causes for imposing the ban on IRF, because its unlawful activities via various mediums are detrimental to the sovereignty, unity, integrity, security of India and causes disaffection against India, according to IANS.
The Tribunal order stated: This Tribunal confirms the Notification dated 15 November 2021, issued by the Government of India for the imposition of ban on IRF for a period of five years with effect from the date of the aforesaid Notification, the report said.
Earlier, the IRF had contested the Centre's decision to declare the Foundation as unlawful association under section 3 of the said Act was unwarranted and unjustified, also amounts to gross abuse of the UAPA Act.
Zakir Naik, who left the country in 2016, is wanted by the Indian investigative agencies to face the charges of terror financing, hate speeches, money laundering and inciting communal disharmony, and is known to be resident in Malaysia.