Zakir Naiks' IRF website blocked, NIA continues to search two premises

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Nov. 21 (ANI): Even as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues to search two premises of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, the authorities on Monday reportedly blocked the websites of Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for allegedly spreading objectionable contents, speeches and videos. This came two days after the NIA raided the 17 premises of Naik. As per reports, the NIA will also raise the issue of suspension of videos on YouTube and Facebook pages with the U.S. since the servers are located there. NIA teams on Saturday seized incriminating documents/files, electronic storage devices and about Rs.12 lakh cash related to Naik and the IRF. A NIA spokesperson said in order to assist the search team, a team of I-T experts has been flown to Mumbai. The NIA had on Friday 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 on Tuesday 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)