NIA files chargesheet against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for hate speech, inciting communal hatred

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in a special Mumbai court for inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities on Thursday, according to several media reports.

#EXCLUSIVE - National Investigation Agency (NIA) files chargesheet against Zakir Naik | @manojkumargupta pic.twitter.com/WnZAOGNnMZ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 26, 2017

In the 58-page chargesheet, Naik has been charged with inciting communal hatred through his speeches and has also been named an absconder. [caption id=“attachment_4177999” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. IBN Live[/caption] According to CNN-News18, Naik has been booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage reli­gious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or reli­gious beliefs) and Section 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person). Naik has also been booked under Section 505-B (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility). Naik who is currently abroad,  was being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He fled from India on 1 July, 2016, after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches. Earlier this year, Naik’s passport was also revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs at the request of the NIA and had thrice issued notices under the Code of Criminal Procedure section 160 asking him to join the investigation, However, he did not appear before the investigating agency. With inputs from PTI