Religious Preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Foundation Banned, Unlawful: Anti-Terror Tribunal

According to the Home Ministry, "Zakir Naik makes radical statements and speeches which are viewed by crores of people worldwide." The Islamic Research Foundation head fled to Malaysia in 2016, just before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) started a probe against the religious preacher.

The Tribunal under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA in its order confirmed the notification by the Union of India declaring religious preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation an "unlawful association".

The Tribunal in its order stated that it is in full agreement with the argument made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing on behalf of the Central Government and the evidence brought on record has also proved that the respondent Association is indulging in unlawful activities.

The Tribunal order states "the convincing and persuasive evidence placed on record, this Tribunal is of the view that there are sufficient reasons and causes for declaring the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association and consequently, this Tribunal confirms the Notification dated 15 November 2021, issued by the Government of India for the imposition of ban on IRF for a period of five years with effect from the date of the aforesaid notification."

The Ministry of Home Affairs in a notification issued on 30 March 2022, stated that the Tribunal in the exercise of the powers passed an order on 09 March 2022, confirming the declaration made in the notification.