Cops studying Naik’s replies at Friday press conference

The Mumbai police’s search for concrete evidence against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik continues, with officials now analysing his replies at a press

The Mumbai police’s search for concrete evidence against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik continues, with officials now analysing his replies at a press conference at Mazgaon on Friday, which he attended via Skype from Media in Saudi Arabia. A team of around 12 police officers attended the press conference in plainclothes and recoded the hours-long proceedings on video.

Muslims take part in a demonstration in support of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in Chennai on Saturday. (PTI File Photo)

“We are trying to ascertain if Naik can be prosecuted for anything that he said. We are scanning the whole recording and also gathering details about Naik’s supporters who attended the press conference,” said a police officer, who did not wish to be named.

The special branch of the Mumbai police is conducting a wider inquiry into Naik’s sermons and activities on the orders of commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar and will submit a report to him soon. The police will decide their course of action once Padsalgikar receives the report.

A source said, however, that the police have not been able to find any substantial evidence against Naik yet, even as they continue to scan scores of his sermons, speeches and writings.

The Mumbai police are also looking into the activities of Harmony Media Pvt Ltd at Dongri, which houses a studio at which shows aired on Naik’s Peace TV undergo post-production. Once edited, they are burned onto DVDs and sent to London and Dubai.