Activities of NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), set up by controversial preacher Zakir Naik, are being examined by the Home Ministry, amidst allegations that funds from abroad received by it have been spent on political activities and inspiring people towards radical views.
A senior Home Ministry official said an investigation was underway on IRF, which was registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), and it was found that most of his foreign funds came from the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and a few other Middle East countries.
The IRF has allegedly received about Rs 15 crore for a period of five years, preceding 2012, the official said.
Mumbai-based Naik has come under the scanner, after it was reported that his speeches had inspired some terrorists who had taken siege on a Dhaka cafe July 1. The Maharashtra government had last week ordered a probe into his speeches. The MHA probe is covering the allegations that foreign funding to IRF was used in political activities and that the NGO's funds were used to induce people towards Islam and “attracting” youths towards terror, he said.