Mumbai police forms special team to probe Zakir Naik's speeches

MUMBAI: Mumbai police on Friday formed a special team to conduct a probe into controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's speeches and may question people associated with him, a senior official said. The official also said that they were yet to get in touch with Naik who is in Saudi Arabia and will return on July 11. "A special team, which comprises cyber cell experts, has been formed to probe Naik's speeches. Police will examine his speeches on Youtube and also scrutinise the CDs, books and other documents at his office here," a senior Mumbai police official said. If required, police may also question people associated with Naik, the official said. "Legal opinion will be sought after examining all the aspects of his speeches. Police are yet to get into touch with Naik," he said. Police are also investigating the sources of funding (of a Foundation run by Naik in Mumbai), the official added. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had yesterday asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik's speeches) and submit a report. His direction came amid reports that Naik's sermons inspired one of the terrorists involved in the attack on a restaurant in Dhaka.