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Police poring over Zakir Naik’s sermons, books and speeches
A day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s activities, the Mumbai police were busy going through his published material available in public domain.
A day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s activities, the Mumbai police were busy going through his published material available in public domain.
The enquiry has been handed over to the special branch which is now scanning documents, digital video CDs and books.
“The enquiry is to find out if his speeches and sermons have been anti-India, provocative or objectionable. In that case further action can be initiated,” said a senior Mumbai police officer.
Read: Controversial preacher Zakir Naik faces FIR, ban on TV channel
The police are also likely to question Naik on his return to India. Officials said action would depend on what came up in the police probe.
Police said Naik had been shuttling between Mumbai and Saudi Arabia in the recent past. Investigators said the most recent case against him was registered in 2013, when he was booked by the Kurla police station for insulting sentiments of Hindus.
Read: Despite ban, you can still watch Zakir Naik on TV
“Details of cases and complaints against him, his speeches, gatherings, funding to his organization, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), is being enquired into. It will be put up in the report to be submitted to the state government,” added the officer.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered the enquiry into Naik’s activities, asking Mumbai police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar to submit a report soon.
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