Police give copy of Central notification to Zakir Naik's IRF

Police have handed over a copy of the central notification banning Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years to office-bearers of the city-based NGO, promoted by controversial preacher Zakir Naik. 

"After receiving the copy of notification from Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday, the Mumbai Police served it to IRF office-bearers (in their office at Dongri here)," deputy commissioner of police, Ashok Dudhe told PTI on Friday.

The Union cabinet had approved a proposal to outlaw the IRF on Tuesday for its alleged terror activities.

In a gazette notification, the home ministry had said the IRF and its members, particularly, the founder and its president Zakir Naik, has been encouraging and aiding its followers to promote or attempt to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious communities.

IRF came on radar of investigative agencies after one of the terrorists in Dhaka attack had allegedly posted on social media that they had been inspired by Naik's speeches.

Youths from Malavani in western suburbs who had left their home to join Islamic State earlier this year were also allegedly inspired by the preaching of the televangelist.

Police had arrested some members of IRF for allegedly motivating and radicalising group youths from Kasargod in Kerala to join the Islamic State.

The case is under investigation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Naik is currently out of country apparently to evade arrest, sources said.