There is not enough evidence against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to book him or declare his NGO, Islamic Research Foundation, unlawful, the Union Law Ministry has reportedly told the Ministry of Home Affairs. A PTI report quoted an unnamed Home Ministry official, who said that the ministry has been advised to analyse a larger number of speeches delivered by the televangelist to reach a clearer conclusion.

The official said the process can take weeks or even months owing to the sheer volume and availability of Naik's speeches. Moreover, before transcribing the videos available in the public domain, the investigators will have to make sure that they are not doctored. The Maharashtra Police and the Anti-terrorism Squad have been tasked with the analysis of Naik's lectures and the activities of his NGO.

According to dna, an official purportedly refuted the recent reports that suggested that the Centre was contemplating booking Naik under anti-terror laws. The newspaper report said the ministry official has held that they do not have the sort of proof against the preacher that is required for such an action.

The probe agencies have claimed that as many as 55 terror accused have been either influenced by Naik's teachings or have heard his speeches. Some of these accused allegedly worked for terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Indian Mujahideen and the Islamic State group, among others. Naik has, however, denied the charges, and has held that his speeches were being taken out of context and that the charges were based on doctored videos.