NIA files charge sheet against Zakir Naik for inciting youths to take up terror activities

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed a charge sheet against controversial Islamic Scholar Zakir Naik in the case of money laundering and terror funding.

51-year-old Naik has been booked under the charges of inciting youths to take up terror and hateful activities and promoting hatred between religions.

In its 1000-page charge sheet, the agency has also named Naik's two firms, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Harmony Media Private Ltd.

The NIA charge sheet also includes as much as 80 statements made under the different Sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

"We filed a charge sheet against Naik," an NIA official told PTI.

"Zakir Naik has deliberately insulted other religions or religious beliefs under aegis of IRF with help of HMPL to cause dissatisfaction," NIA said.

#FLASH: NIA files chargesheet against Zakir Naik; more details awaited pic.twitter.com/ZuFTzUXFaH

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2017

The NIA is probing the televangelist under terror and money-laundering charges. A non-bailable warrant (NBW) was also issued against him in April this year. NIA registered a case against Naik on November 18, 2016.

Naik, who is still absconding, is out of country since 2016 after some terrorists in Bangladesh claimed they were motivated to take up arms by his speeches.