India to take up Zakir Naik's extradition with Malaysia

NEW DELHI: India will soon make a formal request to Malaysia for the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, PTI has reported.

"Our legal internal process is nearing completion. Once it is complete, we will then make an official request to the Malaysian government very soon," ANI quoted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar as saying.

Kumar added that the "nature of the request" will be clear in the next couple of weeks.

The 52-year-old televangelist's hardline views sparked outrage and an investigation in India, leading him to flee the country. Just last week, the NIA prepared charges against him for "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures."

Naik, has, however, received permanent residency in Malaysia, and has even been welcomed by the country's government.

He is reportedly "a reasonably popular character amongst Malays, who gloss over his more controversial aspects," an analyst told Reuters. So much so, that "if the government were to kick him out of the country, it causes them to lose religious credibility in the eyes of the public."


(With inputs from agencies)