After criminal cases were registered by local police stations in Mumbai and a ban imposed by the Indian government, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), run by controversial preacher Zakir Naik, is now under the scanner of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .
The Central terror-investigation agency registered an FIR against the IRF on Friday (Nov 18) and, on Saturday (Nov 19), launched a comprehensive investigation into its activities.
According to sources, the NIA registered a case against Dr. Naik as well as other office-bearers of the Foundation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race or language.
Hours later, multiple NIA teams were sent to at least a dozen IRF premises to conduct searches, which continued till late on Saturday (Nov 19).
‘Nine NIA teams have conducted search operations on 12 premises connected to the IRF in Mumbai simultaneously and seized incriminating documents, files, electronic storage devices and about Rs. 12 lakh in cash,’ an NIA officer said.
Sources said the searches commenced early on Saturday (Nov 18) morning at Dr. Naik's residence in Mumbai’s Byculla locality, the IRF’s offices in Dongri and Pydhonie, the premises of the Islamic International School run by the IRF and the residences of several IRF office-bearers.
The police had deployed teams on standby in areas around IRF establishments since Wednesday to prevent any untoward incident after the Central government’s ban on the foundation.
Officials said the focus of the searches was on the content and nature of Dr. Naik’s sermons and IRF literature, as well as on the funding received by the Foundation, particularly from abroad.
