Malaysian Police authorities on Wednesday clarified that media reports on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s deportation to India on Wednesday night were wrong.
On Wednesday morning many TV channels and online portals reported that Malaysia is going to deport Naik to India. “It is not true. He will not be extradited to India tonight,” said Inspector General Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun
The spokespersons of External Affairs Ministry and Home Ministry in Delhi also clarified that they have not received any communication from the Malaysian Government regarding the deportation of Naik. In January, the MEA had made a formal request to Malaysia to deport Naik, wanted by India for inciting youngsters for terror activities through his hate speeches. Naik is being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He had left India in July, 2016.
By afternoon, Naik through social media platforms said he would not return home till he felt “safe from unfair prosecution”. Naik's Islamic Research Foundation's (IRF) public relation officer also issued a statement on this regard. “The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I feel safe from unfair prosecution,” said the statement issued on behalf of Naik by IRF.
It added that Naik would “surely return to my homeland” when he feels “that the government will be just and fair.”
Naik is facing various cases, including for hate speech and money laundering, in India and has been staying abroad to evade arrest. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had first registered a case against the 51-year-old Naik under anti- terror laws in 2016 for allegedly promoting enmity between different religious groups. His name was cropped in the confessions of the accused persons caught in Dhaka blast 2016. Following the massive blast in Dhaka, Naik is also wanted by Bangladesh authorities for inciting jehad.
The NIA and Mumbai Police, subsequently, had also carried out searches at 10 places in Mumbai including residential premises of some of the office bearers of the foundation run by Naik.
The foundation was earlier put on restricted list by the Home Ministry for receiving funds from abroad.
Naik-promoted Peace TV was illegally transmitting his inciting speeches. In 2016, the Centre has issued stern warnings to Cable TV operators to stop airing the controversial Peace TV, which never had clearance from Information and Broadcasting Ministry.