Passport of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik revoked: NIA officials

Mumbai: 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 National Investigation Agency had thrice issued notices under CrPC section 160 to Naik, asking him to join the investigation, but he did not appear before it, he said in a statement here.

The section authorises a police officer to call somebody if it appeared the person seemed to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case in question.

Thereafter, on April 21, the Additional Sessions Judge presiding over the NIA Special Court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him. On June 15, the court issued proclamation order seeking Naik's appearance before it, he added.

After Naik failed to comply with these directives, the anti-terror agency requested the Ministry of External Affairs to revoke his passport, the statement said.

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).

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. 

(With Agency inputs)