The National Investigation Agency on Thursday filed a chargesheet against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, ANI reported. Naik was booked for inciting the youth to take up terror activities and for hate speech.
The agency said its investigation showed Naik, “through his public speeches and lectures, has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India”. The NIA said his speeches had led to communal tension among followers of different sects and created serious law-and-order situations.
The investigation found a link between Naik and 19 immovable properties worth Rs 104 crore, ANI reported. The NIA said it was looking into the source of these properties.
The NIA has been investigating the televangelist’s alleged links to militants after the Centre banned his organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation, on November 15, 2016, for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Naik had been under scrutiny since allegations arose that he had inspired one of the militants behind the Dhaka restaurant attack on July 1, 2016.
On April 13, a special court in Mumbai had issued an open-dated, non-bailable warrant against the preacher in connection with a money laundering case. The Regional Passport Office in Mumbai had revoked Naik’s passport on the NIA’s recommendation on July 19.
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