NIA issues yet another notice to Zakir Naik-led IRF

In yet another setback to controversial Islamic preacher and founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) Zakir Naik, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday issued a notice asking him to appear at the NIA Headquarter on March 30.

Earlier on March 14, the NIA had issued notice to Naik and ordered him to face questioning. Naik, however, did not responded back to the notice.

The IRF, headed by Naik, last year moved a petition seeking directions against the ban imposed on it by the Central Government.

The Delhi High Court, however, on March 16 dismissed the plea by Naik-led IRF against an immediate ban and freezing of accounts of the organisation. The court said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sufficient material for the immediate ban.

Last year on November 15, the Centre had banned the IRF for five years after declaring it as an "unlawful association" under the anti-terror laws, and the NIA followed up with raids on its premises in Mumbai on November 19.

The foundation had first come under the scanner after the terrorist responsible for Dhaka attack in 2016, in an online post had said that he was inspired by Naik's speeches.