Top cop says Naik’s speeches objectionable

MUMBAI: Following scrutiny of the various speeches delivered by Dr Zakir Naik, the city police have decided to seek advice before taking any action against the controversial

MUMBAI: Following scrutiny of the various speeches delivered by Dr Zakir Naik, the city police have decided to seek advice before taking any action against the controversial televangelist and his organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), said police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar. The top cop said the speeches examined are objectionable in nature and can fan issues between certain communities.

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A detailed report in this regard has been submitted to the state and appropriate action will be initiated in this matter if the state directs, Padsalgikar said on Tuesday.

“We have studied various speeches made by Naik, which are available in public domain. These speeches can be examined from a legal perspective,” said Padsalgikar.

The police chief clarified that the report does not suggest any call for a ban on IRF and that the report is the outcome of an inquiry. When asked if the police looked into the funding of the IRF and PeaceTV, Padsalgikar said the IRF falls under the category of foreign contribution act and funds were not the object of inquiry in the matter. The finances do not find a mention in the report. He also said that the report has not suggested IRF involvement in radicalising youth.

Meanwhile, Naik’s aides Arshi Qureshi and Rizwan Khan have been booked along with two others — Kerala residents Haneef and Abdul Rashid — after a 63-year-old man registered a case against the quartet at the Nagpada police station on Monday. While Qureshi and Khan were arrested by Kerala police and continue to remain in the Kerala ATS custody, the Mumbai police are likely to seek the other duo’s custody citing the latest case against them.