ED registers money laundering cases against Zakir Naik, IRF

New Delhi [India], Dec. 30 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate on Friday registered a cases against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) on the basis of the earlier FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The cases have been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The foundation had first come under the scanner after terrorist responsible for Dhaka attack earlier this year in an online post had said that he was inspired by the Naik's speeches. Naik has been out of the country since reports emerged that his sermons influenced a few Bangladeshi attackers, who targeted an eatery in Dhaka on July 1. The Dhaka cafe attack, where 10 gunmen had taken several people hostage had left 28 people dead. The NIA had in November registered a case against Naik and others under sections 10 (Penalty for being member of an unlawful association) and 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities) and other various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said the spokesperson. The Union Government had declared the IRF as an "outlawed organisation" under the anti-terror law for its alleged terror activities, following which the Maharashtra Government said it would keep a close eye on locals and organisations funding the IRF and would be treated as "anti-social elements". However, the IRF said it would be arguing before a Central government tribunal against the validity of the ban imposed on it and invoking of the UAPA. (ANI)