The Islamic Research Foundation - headed by the controversial tele-evangelist Zakir Naik - will be declared as unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 2011. Sources said the Home Ministry will soon refer the matter to cabinet. Zakir Naik has been found to deliver provocative speeches, the ministry is expected to tell the Union Cabinet, sources said. His foundation has been
accepting dubious funding which is used to make Peace TV - an arm of the IRF- to air provocative programmes.
Mumbai-based Zakir Naik is said to be in Saudi Arabia. He has said he will not return to India this year. Police cases have already been filed against him for allegedly inciting young men.
Earlier, the ministry had launched an inquiry into the funds received by IRF. After a preliminary investigation, the ministry has barred IRF from receiving any foreign funds.
Zakir Naik and his foundation had been under watch of security agencies for some time. A formal probe, however, was launched after Bangladesh raised the issue with India following the terror attack on Dhaka's Holey Artisan Cafe last July.
In the attack, 29 people - among them one Indian girl studying in the US - were killed. The five terrorists who had launched the attack, were killed after an army operation.
The Bangladesh government accused Zakir Naik of making speeches that could have incited some of the terrorists. India promised detailed investigation into the matter.
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