Amid a formal confirmation by the Malaysian authorities that there was no immediate move to deport him to India, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Wednesday categorically denied that he has no plans to return to his country “till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution”.
In an audio statement issued to the media, Naik said: “The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution. Insha Allah when I feel that the Government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland”.
less than a couple of hours after the controversial Islamic preacher dismissed speculation that he was flying back to Mumbai, Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Naik would not be extradited to India on Wednesday night as was being speculated in a section of media. “It is not true. He will not be extradited to India tonight,” Harun was quoted as saying by an online portal “The Star” in a report filed from Petaling Jaya, a Malaysian city.
Simultaneously, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) -- which filed a charge-sheet against Naik before a special court in Mumbai in October last year for allegedly promoting “enmity and hatred” among different religious groups in India -- said it had absolutely no information about the Islamic preacher’s impending return to the country from Malaysia.
In a statement issued to the media, Naik’s lawyer Shaharudinali said: "As of today, there is no truth in the news report that says Dr Zakir Naik is about to be sent back to India. Dr. Zakir Naik has not been served with any extradition papers and we too as lawyers have not been officially served with the papers”
“The Attorney General had informed us the relevant agency would be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs. These ministries have not been in touch with Dr. Zakir Naik or us. The AG was perfectly aware that any extradition request would be met with a legal challenge in the courts. We have due process to follow. That has not been initiated yet by the government,” Naik’s lawyer stated.
Naik has been staying in Putrajaya in Malaysia since April 2016, weeks after he left India for a tour.
New Delhi has been requesting Malaysia to deport Naik to India on the ground that he is wanted by the NIA. Kuala lumpur has refused to do so in the absence of any red corner issued against Naik.
After the exit of the Najib Razak government, there has been a speculation in the media that the new government in Malaysia is reconsidering its policy on Naik’s continued stay in Putrajaya. However, Malaysia’s Home Minister of Malaysia was recently quoted as saying that Naik was subject to local laws if he had committed a crime.
On October 26 last year, the NIA had filed a charge-sheet before a special court against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and two of his outfits, including Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).