Naik NGO case: MHA prior nod for foreign funds must

NEW DELHI : In a first significant step against controversial televangelist Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has put IRF under ‘prior permission list’ along with 20 other NGOs. This will mean Naik won’t be able to accept foreign funding without seeking the Home Ministry's permission, said officials.

Asenior home ministry official also said they are examining the renewal of Naik’s NGO that will be effective from November 1. Home Ministry said the foundation's licence to receive funding under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act or FCRA was "accidentally" renewed last month, even though Naik under investigation for allegedly misusing foreign donations.

The government has also suspended head of foreigners division IAS G K Dwivedi along with thee junior officials for the lapse. Officials also said during a further scrutiny they have found violations committed by IRF that may lead to revocation of his FCRA license. “His NGO has not intimated several foreign donation and its utilisation properly which amounts to violations of provisions of FCRA,” said a senior official.