Maharashtra: The Maharashtra State Intelligence Department (SID) which was handling the investigation of controversial preacher Zakir Naik ordered by Maharashtra government, has said that there was no case against Naik and he will not be arrested when he returns to India.
The SID which gave clean chit to Naik, studied several YouTube videos and speeches given by the controversial preacher in and out of India and said that no case could be made on the basis of the videos. “We are tracking his movements and only if he speaks out of turn, can we ‘pin’ him down on a charge. For now, we are closely monitoring him,” said a senior police official.
SID officials stated that they have closely studied the statement of Naik’s aid who alleged that preacher is investing money earned from his speeches into the stock market. But that cannot be a criminal offence. There was no evidence to link Naik to terror-related activities other than the recent charges that he inspired the Dhaka terrorists, said a SID official.
Zakir Naik is not expected to return home to Mumbai for a few more weeks as he is on a scheduled tour of the UAE and Africa, an aide said here on Monday. Dismissing speculation of his return on Monday and his addressing the media on Tuesday, the aide said Naik planned to interact with mediapersons over Skype and not in person but that too has been cancelled. Presently, Naik is in Saudi Arabia. He would proceed to the United Arab Emirates for a series of engagements and later visit Africa before leaving for Mumbai after a few weeks, sources said.
