The Centre on Monday asked a tribunal to hear in camera the matter concerning the immediate ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) of the controversial preacher Zakir Naik.
Additional Solicitor-General Sanjay Jain requested the tribunal’s presiding officer, Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, to lay down the procedure, venue and schedule of the hearings.
Justice Dhingra said the “proceedings are generally held in camera and there should be no objection”. An order will be passed on February 20.
Mr. Jain placed before the tribunal three affidavits on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) containing documents in a sealed cover based on which the government decided to impose the ban.
Maharashtra, which is supporting the Centre’s decision, said it would file an affidavit in 10 days. The tribunal, thereafter, asked the Centre to furnish all the documents to the lawyers representing the IRF, saying they were entitled to the records.
The IRF had earlier moved the tribunal against the November 17, 2016, notification of the Union Home Ministry imposing the ban.
However, since the tribunal declined to hear the matter before February 6, the foundation moved the Delhi High Court challenging the ban.
