The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected the petition of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO Islamic Research Foundation against the Centre’s immediate ban, declaring it an unlawful association.
“The immediate action appears to have been taken in the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India and public order,” held Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva.
The court perused the record presented before it by the Centre containing the material on the basis of which the November 17, 2016, notification was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) imposing an immediate ban on the IRF under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). “The record, that was made available for the perusal of the court, discloses material for exercise of such power. The action of the Central government would be covered under the exception of Article 19 (4),” said Justice Sachdeva.
“The contention of the IRF that the ban has been imposed based on stale material and that there is nothing stated in the notification with regard to the organisation and the allegations are vis-a-vis its president, members and employees and that the notification is based on incorrect facts, in my view is unsubstantiated,” the judge said.
The court took note of various speeches made by Mr. Naik wherein he had made derogatory remarks against Hindu gods and how he extolled al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden and encouraged his followers to promote disharmony on grounds of religion.
“The activities which the petitioner-organisation and its president and members are alleged to have indulged in would clearly come within the purview of ‘unlawful activity’ and ‘unlawful association’,” said Justice Sachdeva.
The court made it clear that its decision would have no bearing on the proceedings pending before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal.
