Tribunal confirms 5-year ban extension on fugitive Zakir Naik’s IRF

A tribunal of the Delhi High Court has confirmed the extension of a five-year ban imposed on Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), set up by fugitive Zakir Naik who is accused of inspiring Muslim youths in India and abroad to commit terror acts.

The IRF was first banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the central government on November 17, 2016. The ban was extended for five years on November 15, 2021.

In a notification, the Union home ministry said the central government had constituted a tribunal consisting of Justice D N Patel, Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi, on December 13, 2021 for adjudicating whether or not there was sufficient cause for declaring the IRF as an unlawful association.

"Whereas, the said tribunal in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 4 of the said Act (UAPA), passed an order on the March 9, 2022, confirming the declaration made in the said notification," it said.

While extending the ban, the home ministry had said that if the unlawful activities of the IRF were not curbed and controlled immediately, it will take the

Accused of spreading communal hatred, Naik, who was born in Mumbai, fled India in the wake of July 1, 2016 bombing at a cafe in Dhaka

opportunity to continue its subversive activities and reorganise its activists who are still absconding.

It had said that the central government is also of the opinion that with regard to the activities of the IRF, it is necessary to declare it an unlawful association with immediate effect.

Naik, who was born in Mumbai fled India in the wake of July 1, 2016 bombing at a cafe in Dhaka. He is accused of spreading hatred among different communities through his Peace TV and social media networks, where he has over 20 million followers. He is currently living in Malaysia.

In that blast in Dhaka, terrorists killed over 20 people, including 17 foreigners. One of the bombers of the Bangladesh capital had said that he was inspired by Naik's speeches.

Naik has denied having any role in any of these incidents.

India has been pursuing with Malaysia its request for extradition of the fugitive evangelist without any success. He has permanent residency of Malaysia, which gave him shelter after countries like Britain and Canada denied him visas.