Extradite Zakir Naik, India tells Malaysia

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has sought extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, accused of inciting youth to take up jihad, from Malyasia. The external affairs ministry has sent a request for Naik's extradition to the Malaysian authorities after the NIA completed all formalities including collection of evidence, filing of charge-sheet, sources told TOI.
The case is likely to be marked for a court in Kuala Lumpur to hear India's request.

The development comes at a time when Malaysia, where Naik has taken refuge, has already said that it is ready to extradite him. Malaysia's deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said in November 2017 that Naik will be extradited if a formal request is sent to Malaysia by the Indian government under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT).

In a chargesheet filed on October 26, 2017, NIA had claimed that the Islamic preacher had deliberately insulted religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and Islamic sects like Shia, Sufi and Barelvi, and his speeches influenced recruits to join the ranks of Islamic State.

A special NIA court has already taken cognizance of the chargesheet, in which Naik has been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity among different religious groups.

Sources CDs/DVDs of his speeches spreading hatred will be shared with the prosecutors when the extradition case comes up for hearing in Malaysia.

"There is strong evidence against Zakir Naik that he was using his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and company Harmony Media Pvt Ltd for anti-national activities. We hope to complete the extradition process as early as possible," said an official requesting anonymity.

The official added that Naik's case will be pursued with the same fervour as the extradition proceedings of liquor baron Vijay Mallya in a London court and "best lawyers will be engaged for the same".

Naik (51) fled India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

According to NIA chargesheet filed, Naik had delivered over 1,500 public lectures/talks in India and abroad since 1994 in which he claimed that Islam is the only true religion.

He also stated in his lectures/speeches that among the religious books of all religions, only Quran is in original form, and all other religious texts have been corrupted. He publicly claimed that all the other messengers, including Moses, Jesus as well as Sri Krishna, preached Islam. He criticised religious practices observed by other religions as well as non-Wahhabi Islamic sects such as Shias, Sufis and Barelvis, and termed them un-Islamic, says the NIA charge-sheet.

During investigations, NIA also found that Naik owned 10 immovable properties (land and buildings) worth Rs 104 crore.