Government bans Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation

New Delhi, Nov 15 

The central government on Tuesday banned controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years with immediate effect.

The ban on IRF has been enforced under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and approved at a Union cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier on November 4, the government, through a gazette notification, had put the IRF under prior permission category.