Televangelist Zakir Abdul Karim Naik’s non-profit trust in Mumbai, called Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), may be banned.
This is what the law ministry has told the Indian government, as per a report in Hindustan Times.
The ministry has said that Naik’s trust, which he founded in 1991, could be termed ‘unlawful’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ban, which lasts for five years in such cases, would prohibit anyone from being a member of the trust or hold meetings or collect funds in its name.
The ministry has compiled FIRs registered against Naik — from as early as 2005 – to strengthen its case.
The physician-turned-preacher who is said to be currently somewhere in West Asia, has been accused of evading the police.
However, Zakir Naik’s advocate Mubin Solkar told HT that provisions of UAPA won’t apply to IRF because “ingredients which are required for such a draconian law are never made out”.