HC defers hearing on Naik’s plea on IRF ban

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing of a plea filed by NRI televangelist Zakir Naik challenging the government decision to ban his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva posted the case for January 23. The court asked the central government to present the records relating to the imposition of the ban.

The court was hearing Naik’s plea challenging the November 2016 notification of the Home Ministry that imposed an immediate ban on IRF for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The IRF told the court that the notification did not give sufficient reasons and materials for taking such a step and that the ban was imposed without giving any showcause notice.