India’s enforcement authorities get tougher on controversial preacher as he continues to hide in foreign countries, refusing to return home for questioning over money laundering and other charges.
KUALA LUMPUR: Zakir Naik, wanted in India in connection with alleged terror funding cases, has been served a show cause notice by India’s Immigration authorities as to why his travel document should not be revoked.
Naik, who was issued the notice last week, has been asked to submit a reply in person by July 13, NTDV quoted official sources as saying.
Naik fled India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed they had been inspired by his speeches on waging jihad.
NDTV said it was unlikely that Naik, who has been given permanent resident status by the Malaysian government, would turn up before the passport authorities in Mumbai.
This is because, NDTV said, online news portal Middle East Monitor had recently reported that Saudi Arabia had granted Naik citizenship, although this had yet to be verified.
Naik’s Indian passport, with a validity for 10 years, was renewed in January last year.
Naik’s organisation, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has been declared as unlawful by the Indian government. The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering money over the years.
Naik has denied this but has refused to return to India to fight the accusations.
A special court in Mumbai, in issuing a non-bailable warrant against Naik, had said that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency”.