Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik declared proclaimed offender

Mumbai July 28 (IANS) Absconding Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik has been declared a proclaimed offender by a special court the NIA said here on Friday.

Following the court order last week the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated a the process to attach his assets under the law.

According to NIA the order declaring Naik - who enjoys a NRI status - a proclaimed offender was issued on July 21 after which the process to attachm his assets started under the Criminal Procedure Code s Section 83.

On November 18 last year the NIA had lodged a criminal case against Naik in Mumbai invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Simultaneously the Central government had declared the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) launched by him as an "unlawful association".

Following this the NIA had raised his offices a school and a private TV channel offices which were later sealed.

Naik who left the country early in 2016 is charged with spreading hatred through provocative speeches terror funding and money-laundering among others.

--IANS
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