Passport of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik revoked: NIA officials

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Jul 18, 2017 : The External Affairs Ministry has revoked the passport of televangelist Zakir Naik, who is wanted in connection with his role in a terror case.

 

"The Mumbai Regional Passport Office has approved the NIA’s request to revoke Zakir Naik’s passport," a spokesperson for the National Investigation Agency said on Tuesday.

The development comes months after a special NIA court issued a non-bailable warrant against the Mumbai-based controversial Islamic preacher.

This was the second NBW against the 51-year-old after the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act Court issued an NBW earlier in April in a money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate after he failed to appear before it.

Following the Dhaka terror attacks last year, the NIA had filed the case against Naik and other officials of his Mumbai-based NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
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Naik was on a tour abroad at that time and has since not returned to India allegedly to evade arrest under various charges, including inspiring terrorist activities and money-laundering.

In December last, the Centre had permanently cancelled the FCRA licence of Naik’s NGO and his educational trust after declaring it as a terror outfit.

Naik had his passport renewed in January last year and it was valid for 10 years.

The medical doctor-turned-preacher, during his interactions with the Indian media from his haven abroad, has repeatedly denied all charges.

He was served a show-cause notice by the passport authorities asking as to why his travel document should not be revoked.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a yearlong probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his IRF and Peace TV being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

Besides banning his NGO, the central government has taken his TV channel off air.


courtesy:Zeenews