Decision to ban IRF in India’s interest: Tribunal

A SPECIAL tribunal on Thursday upheld the Centre’s decision to ban Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), saying there were sufficient reasons, including posing a threat to India’s security, to declare it an unlawful association.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Sangeeta Dhingra of the Delhi High Court, found that Naik has failed to participate in the legal proceedings before it and was “absconding and untraceable”.

The tribunal on February 23 had ordered in-camera hearing in view of the confidential material being scrutinised by it.

Upholding the Centre’s November 17, 2016 notification banning IRF for five years, the tribunal said there were sufficient reasons and cause to declare IRF an unlawful association. “The entire material placed on record shows that the IRF was involved in activities which not only incite andencouragetheyouthtounder take the unlawful activities with and intent to threaten the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of India.”

“It also cause (sic) disaffection against India, which leaves no doubt that the ingredients of section... of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967 are met and there is every reason to conclude that the IRF be declared asanunlawfulassociation,”itsaid.

On March 16, the Delhi High Court had also held that the Centre’s decision to ban the IRF was taken to safeguard national security. It had dismissed IRF’S plea challenging the ban.

IRF had moved the tribunal againstthenovember17,2016notification of the of the Ministry of Homeaffairsimposinganimmediate ban on the organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. However, since the tribunal declined to hear the matter before February 6, the foundation had moved the Delhi High Court challenging the ban.

Zakir Naik