Following the Centre's tough stand on Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's controversial comments on terrorism, nine teams from the National Intelligence Agency, the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies are scanning the former's activities, while special teams are scanning every footage of his speeches.
According to Home Ministry sources, four teams have been constituted to scan the video footages and CDs of Naik's speeches and three teams are scanning social sites, while two teams are monitoring his Facebook posts.
According to initial investigation, it has been found that Naik's speeches are provocative, objectionable and so is his writing. Besides, his NGO's operations have also been branded as suspicious.
It has also been found that the funds sent for his 'charitable activities' are being misused and the MHA is also examining his Foreign Contribution Regulation Act funding clearance and irregularities.
Besides his phone calls and e-mails, the sponsors for his foreign trips and meeting are also under the scanner of the NIA.
Sources further state that Naik may be banned soon and the Centre has sought fresh legal opinion regarding the controversial preacher.
The government is most likely gearing up to make a strong legal case against Naik.
According to reports, Naik has kept himself legally safe and he is also said to have the backing of the Saudi royal family.
The Centre will soon make amendment in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act under which an individual can be put under ban list.
Under UAPA, the provocative or controversial speakers -- whose speeches inspire terrorists -- can be banned and action can be taken against them.
Asserting that the Centre has taken cognizance of Naik's controversial comments regarding terrorism, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said that a proper probe would be conducted into the matter.
"We have taken cognizance of Zakir Naik's speeches and necessary instructions have been issued in this regard. His (Zakir Naik) speeches, CDs are being examined and whatever is justified will be done," Rajnath told media persons.
He added that the government would not compromise on the grave issue of terrorism at any cost.
UPA govt was given reports on Zakir Naik, but...
Acknowledging that Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s speeches were provocative, former Mumbai police commissioner and now Baghpat MP Satyapal Singh on Saturday said Mumbai Police had forwarded a report of his activities to the then UPA government in 2008, but no action was taken on it.
"In 2008, we sent a report to government questioning Zaki Naik ‘s source of funding and speeches. His organisation should be banned by FCRA. We filed a report on the event in which 12 people converted to Islam at the venue, they have transformed at least 12 girls and boys into Muslim from Hindu and Jain. At that time we have sent a report. They get funding from outside," Singh said.
Singh also said that Naik misinterpreted and misquoted religious books.
"We have mentioned in the report that such things can be dangerous and sought immediate action from the government. But nothing was done at the right time," he added.
In October 2008, a two-day programme by Naik's Islamic Research Foundation at the Azam Campus ground in Pune Camp became controversial after “religious conversions” took place at the venue.
Twelve persons, mainly youths, converted to Islam voluntarily in the presence of Naik at the full-packed open programme held at the Azam Campus ground, the premises of an educational organisation run by the Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society.
Naik is reportedly in Saudi Arabia for a religious pilgrimage and would return to India on July 11.
