ED to invoke Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against Zakir Naik

In a major development in the extradition process of hate-speech preacher Zakir Naik, sources said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is all set to invoke the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against him. The Government of India (GoI) has been trying to initiate the extradition process of  Zakir Naik since January. Sources also informed that the ED will be filing an application regarding the same in the Mumbai court. The fugitive economic offenders act allows for a person to be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) in case he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution and an arrest warrant has been issued against him. In a press conference on September 17, India's foreign minister S Jaishankar said that during PM Modi's Vladivostok visit, the issue of Naik's extradition came up with the Malaysian PM. He also said that India had placed a request with Malaysia for his extradition in January.

READ: PM Modi meets Japan & Malaysia PMs; raises Zakir Naik extradition

Zakir Naik's deportation

Earlier on September 17, it has been reported that the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad suggested that no country was willing to accept the controversial Islamic preacher. Mohamad who once stood with Naik and was against his extradition to India said: “no one wanted to accept him”. Naik was reported of boasting about offers of nationality from at least ten countries. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Malaysian counterpart on the sidelines of Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). Sources close to the PMO told Republic TV that PM discussed the matter of Naik's deportation. 

READ: Zakir Naik's public speeches banned in Malaysia

Who is Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik, a 53-year-old radical television preacher, reportedly left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency. However, India has been attempting to extradiate the hate-speech preacher. In August, six ministers met the Malaysian Prime Minister allegedly to discuss the matter of Zakir Naik's deportation. Meanwhile, it was reported by local media in Malaysia that the Malaysian police have been questioning Naik in their headquarters.

READ: Zakir Naik deportation:'Change-of-heart' says Malaysian minister

READ: Zakir Naik gets political protection as clamour for deportation grows