Centre Asks for In-Camera Proceedings in Zakir Naik’s IRF Case
The state of Maharashtra, which is supporting the Centre’s ban, will also file an affidavit in the next 10 days.
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Citing confidentiality issues, the Centre on Monday asked a tribunal, to hold in-camera proceedings to scrutinise the government’s decision to immediately ban the controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
The submission was made by the Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, who had requested Sangita Dhingra Seghal – the head of the tribunal – to set up under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to lay down the procedure, venue and schedule of the hearings.
The tribunal observed that usually in such matters "proceedings are generally held on camera and there should be no objection to it" and said it will pass an order on the next date of hearing on 20 February .
ASG Sanjay Jain also placed before the tribunal three affidavits on behalf of the National Investigation Agency NIA) containing documents based on which the government decided to impose the immediate ban on Zakir Naik’s IRF.
Meanwhile, the state of Maharashtra, which is supporting the Centre’s ban, said it will also file an affidavit in 10 days time.
The tribunal has asked the Centre to furnish all the documents to the lawyers representing IRF, saying, "They are also entitled to the records."
IRF had earlier moved the tribunal against the 17 November 2016 notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) imposing immediate ban on it.
However, since the tribunal declined to hear the matter before 6 February, the foundation had moved the Delhi High Court challenging the immediate ban.
IRF School to Be Transferred to Minority Trust Soon
Faced with the scrutiny, Zakir Naik’s foundation is now deliberating transferring its school in Mazgaon to a trust owned by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, reports The Indian Express.
The report adds that Maharashtra’s education department has given the green light for the transfer of the school management from its founder Zakir Naik to Azmi’s Niyaz Ahmed Minority Educational and Welfare Trust. The school, its management, curriculum and workings are being scrutinised by legal experts before the official transfer can be formalised.
The school has been facing uncertainty after the Centre’s ban on its parent foundation – IRF for five years in November last year.
(With Inputs from The Hindu, The Indian Express and PTI)
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