Naik promoted hatred among religious groups

India's elite anti-terror probe agency has filed a charge sheet in a trial court in Mumbai saying controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has promoted enmity and hatred between different religious groups and among non-Wahabi Islamic sects in India through his public speeches and lectures 

"During the investigation, it was found that through his public lectures/speeches, Naik "deliberately and maliciously insulted the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and non-Wahabi Muslims, particularly Shia, Sufi, and Barelwis, with intention of outraging their religious feelings," the charge sheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.

The charge sheet, which names Naik and his banned NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Harmony Media Private Limited as accused, was filed before a special NIA court on the basis of 151 witnesses and under different sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. IRF was banned last year under India's tough law UAPA Act.

It said the investigation conducted by NIA has firmly established that the "incriminating public speeches/utterings" of Naik have been in circulation through the electronic media, such as CD/DVD and web portals Facebook/ YouTube, etc and have been, and continue to be seen, across the world.