Tribunal confirms MHA ban on Zakir Naik's foundation

New Delhi: The Tribunal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) confirmed the ban imposed by the Union home ministry on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an "unlawful association". In its detailed order issued on Wednesday, the judge said it is in full agreement with the argument made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the Centre. The evidence brought on record has also proved that the respondent Association has been indulging in unlawful activities.

Naik fled to Malaysia in 2016, just before the National Investigation Agency started a probe against him. The Tribunal order states that based on "the convincing and persuasive evidence placed on record, this Tribunal is of the view that there are sufficient reasons and causes for declaring the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association and consequently, this Tribunal confirms the notification dated November 15, 2021, issued by the Government of India for the imposition of ban on IRF for five years with effect from the date of the aforesaid notification."

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a notification issued on March 30, 2022, stated that the Tribunal, in the exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (3) of section 4 of the said Act, passed an order on March 9, 2022, confirming the declaration made in the notification.


After going through the evidence, the Tribunal said, "It is satisfied that there existed sufficient cause for imposing the said ban on IRF as its unlawful activities are subsisting through various mediums, which are detrimental to the sovereignty, unity, integrity, security of India and causes disaffection against India".