Police recover Naik’s DVDs from Dongri office

After Hindustan Times revealed that shows aired on Peace TV undergo post-production at the Dongri editing studio, officers from the police’s special branch (SB) also recorded the statements of some people who work there.

A team of policemen on Monday recovered DVDs of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from the office of Harmony Media Pvt Ltd in Dongri – which houses an editing studio of Naik’s television channel Peace TV – and will analyse his sermons and speeches.

Mumbai, India - July 7, 2016:Zakir Naik's office at Dongri in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, July 7, 2016. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

The police are likely to submit a preliminary report about Naik and his activities to Mumbai police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar this week.

After Hindustan Times revealed that shows aired on Peace TV undergo post-production at the Dongri editing studio, officers from the police’s special branch (SB) also recorded the statements of some people who work there.

“The material covers several years, starting from the mid-2000s, so scanning it is a tedious task. The preliminary report is being compiled. It will include our findings from Naik’s sermons and the statements of employees. It will be submitted to the commissioner in three to four days,” said a police officer, who did not wish to be named.

The police have so far identified three properties that belong to Naik – the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Harmony Media offices at Dongri, and the Islamic International School at Mazgaon.

They said that while Peace TV has been banned in India, it continues to broadcast under the banner of Harmony Media. A preliminary probe revealed that most of the funding for Harmony Media and IRF comes from foreign countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

On Monday, the police were awaiting Naik’s return from Saudi Arabia. However, he later changed his plan, and will now travel to Africa before arriving in Mumbai in a couple of weeks, an official said.

“His presence could have given a fillip to the probe. However, his delayed arrival is also good as it will give us more time to gather material,” added the officer.