The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India conducted raids at 10 premises of controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai on Saturday, reports the Times of India.
The raids began on Saturday morning with the help of local police after a case was registered by the NIA's Mumbai branch on Friday night for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and committing acts that are prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
The raids come only a few days after the Indian Union Cabinet declared the IRF as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of India.
Also Read- India bans Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation
The IRF came under the scanner of various security agencies after one of the terrorists involved in the terror attack on an upscale Gulshan cafe in Dhaka on July 1 allegedly posted on social media that they had been inspired by Naik's speeches.
Some youths from the suburbs of Mumbai, who had left their home to join global terrorist group the Islamic State earlier this year, were also allegedly inspired by the preacher.
The speeches of Naik, who is currently out of the country supposedly to evade arrest, are banned in the UK, Canada and Malaysia.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs found that the NGO was allegedly having dubious links with Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, accused of propagating terrorism.
Also Read- Police report finds illegal activities by Zakir Naik’s IRF
According to the ministry, Naik, who heads the IRF, has allegedly made many provocative speeches and engaged in terror propaganda.
Maharashtra police has also registered criminal cases against Naik for his alleged involvement in radicalisation of youths and luring them into terror activities.
He also transferred IRF's foreign funds to Peace TV for making “objectionable” programmes. Most of the programmes, which were made in India, contained alleged hate speeches of Naik, who had reportedly “urged all Muslims to be terrorists” through Peace TV.
Also Read- Bangladesh bans Zakir Naik's Peace TV
An educational trust run by Naik has already been prevented from receiving foreign funds and agencies are looking into their activities.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
