 "Govt will soon seek Zakir Naik's extradition from Malaysia: MEA")
India will soon make a request to the Malaysian government for the extradition of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president and preacher Zakir Naik, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.
"We seek the assistance of a foreign government in cases of extradition which requires a legal process internally first. We are nearing the completion of this exercise, once this exercise is completed. Soon we will make an official request to the Malaysian government on this matter," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a press briefing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it will explore all the legal options to bring Naik back to India.
"We will explore all legal options which are available to us to bring him (Naik) back so that he faces trial before the court," NIA Inspector General (IG) Alok Mittal told ANI.
The NIA has filed chargesheet against Naik in a special court in Mumbai.
The Islamic preacher is facing charges of incitement of terror activities, hate speeches among youth and money laundering.
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Last year in November, the NIA's Mumbai branch had registered a case against Naik under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The case was registered a day after the Union Home Ministry declared Naik's Mumbai-based IRF as an unlawful association.
Naik fled from India after some terrorists allegedly involved in the Dhaka cafe attack claimed that they were inspired by his speeches.
He had so far delivered over 1,500 public lectures/talks in India and abroad.
His last public lecture in India was held in Kishanganj, Bihar in March, 2012.