Under fire, Islamic preacher Zakir Naik delays return to India?

New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been in news ever since it emerged that two of the Dhaka attack terrorists were inspired by him, is reported to have delayed his return to India, reports said on Monday afternoon.

Times Now channel reported that Naik, who was to arrive in Mumbai today from Saudi Arabia, has postponed his return amid probes by multiple agencies into his controversial activities.

Consequently, a press conference which Naik was due to address in Mumbai tomorrow also stands cancelled.

It was being reported that Naik will be summoned by the Mumbai Police as well as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his return to India.

Further, The Indian Express reported today citing sources that he will be constantly monitored by various central and state intelligence as well as counter-terrorism agencies after he lands in Mumbai.

Earlier, security was tightened in Mumbai as different groups were likely to hold protests as well as marches in Naik's support after his return.

Further, policemen were posted outside the Mumbai office of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), a charitable organisation founded by Naik.

A television channel run by Naik, a televangelist, has already been banned by the Bangladesh government.

'Peace TV' has also come under the scanner of the Indian government with ministers saying it had no license to downlink in India.

The focus of probes by multiple agencies are Naik's speeches and videos in which he is alleged to have advocated Muslims to take up terrorism.

The Mumbai-based preacher has, however, denied asking Muslims to resort to terrorism, saying no innocent person should be killed.

Naik has also described the Islamic State terror group as “un-Islamic”.

It may be recalled that the Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the recent terror attack in Dhaka where hostages were held and killed at a popular cafe in the Bangladeshi capital's diplomatic zone.