The Centre is working towards imposing a ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, an anti-terror law, reported The Indian Express. The Home Ministry is preparing a draft Cabinet note thorough which the government plans to declare the Islamic Research Foundation an ‘unlawful association’.

A ministry official told the newspaper that the government has discovered links between the NGO and Peace TV, an Islamic channel that supports and promotes terrorism. The draft note that is being prepared by the ministry states that Naik made several provocative speeches, and has been involved in terror propaganda.

The note is based on information provided by the Maharashtra Police, who has also registered a criminal case against Naik. The Islamic preacher has been accused of radicalising youths and luring them into terror activities. He has reportedly hailed slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in his speeches.

He is also accused of transferring funds to Peace TV to make “objectionable programmes”. In his speeches, he has reportedly “urged all Muslims to be terrorists”. The Home Ministry is also looking into two educational trusts run by Naik.

The televangelist has been under the government's lens ever since allegations arose that he had inspired one of the terrorists behind the Dhaka restaurant attack on July 1. He was also accused of meeting two brothers from Kerala who were among those who went missing in West Asia and are feared to have joined the Islamic State group.