New Delhi: India’s request for issuing a so-called red notice against fugitive controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik has been taken up for consideration by Interpol — an international organisation that facilitates worldwide police cooperation.

The televangelist is wanted in India for his hate speeches, inciting youngsters for terror activities and money laundering cases.

According to reports, the Interpol has agreed to issue a red notice to its 194 member states worldwide against Naik. Red notices are issued to hunt down and provisionally arrest fugitives, who are wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Also read: NIA special court orders attachment of five properties of fugitive Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik

Naik is on the run after terrorists involved in the 2016 Bangladesh attack, which killed 22 people, said that they admire the preacher. Since then the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been looking for him and repeatedly requested the Interpol to intervene and issue a red notice against Naik.

If reports are to be believed, the controversial Islamic leader has permanent residency in Malaysia and lives there.

Last year, the NIA special court in Mumbai ordered the attachment of five properties of Naik.

"Owing to a pending non-bailable warrant against accused Dr Zakir Naik, the NIA made a request to the special NIA court to declare him a proclaimed offender. On 15th June 2017, the court issued a proclamation under section 82 of CrPC against Dr Zakir Naik," the NIA added.

Moreover, the Indian government’s repeated pleas for Naik’s extradition were dismissed by the Malaysian government. In July 2018, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that the preacher will not be deported as he was not creating any problems in Malaysia.



