NIA files charge sheet against Zakir Naik in hate speech, incitement case

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, October 26

The National Investigation Agency today filed a 58-page chargesheet against controversial television preacher, Dr Zakir Naik accusing him of inciting people to carry out terror attacks in different parts of the world. 

According to the chargesheet filed in a special NIA court, Dr Naik used his television channel Peace TV and non-government organizations to carry out propaganda for Islamic
terror groups. He is also accused of illegally raising funds from jihadist groups to carry out his activities, according to sources.

Naik, a Mumbai-based physician turned preacher, has been declared an absconder after he did not respond to the summons issued to him by the NIA. The agencies summoned him after terrorists who carried out an attack at a cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh allegedly claimed to have been influenced by Dr Naik's speeches on television and the Internet.

The preacher, who was on Haj at the time of the Dhaka terror attacks, refused to return home following the issuance of summons by the NIA.

According to police sources here, Naik has been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to outraging religious sentiments of any sections of society and inducing others to carry out activities against the state apart from sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He has also been charged with masterminding the activities of banned organisations like the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), which has been proscribed by the authorities.

Other charges against Naik including carrying out money-laundering activities on behalf of entities living in foreign countries.

Officials here are not sure whether Naik has obtained citizenship from Saudi Arabia, although he is known to have received an invitation from the authorities there.

The NIA has already sought the help of Interpol in apprehending Naik, according to sources.