MEA reiterates to take all necessary measures to bring justice for Zakir Naik

New Delhi, March 24: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday reiterated that it will take all necessary measures to bring back televangelist Zakir Naik and have him face justice in India.

 While addressing media, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, to a question on reports of Naik's visit to Oman and if India has an extradition arrangement with the country, said, "We will continue to take all necessary measures to bring him to face justice in India."

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Zakir Naik fled India in 2016 amid charges of spreading hatred and money laundering. The same year, India's counterterrorism agency filed a complaint against him, accusing him of promoting religious hatred and other unlawful activities.

Meanwhile, Zakir Naik has been accused in numerous cases in India.  He is a fugitive from justice. We have taken up the matter with the Govt of Oman & Oman authorities," said Bagchi.

As per the sources, Naik is likely to be reported in Oman on March 27.    

"As regards the extradition part, I will check on this. I think the list of countries we have an extradition treaty with is already in the public domain. Oman is not on the list. However, I do need to reconfirm," MEA said.

Notably, Naik made headlines in November 2022 as Qatar had extended an invitation to him to attend the FIFA World Cup. However, the country later denied the claims, saying no such invitation had been sent to Naik.

Naik is a wanted man in India and faces charges of spreading hate and also money laundering.

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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs declared Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation unlawful last year. Naik is accused of promoting hate, and disharmony, and his speeches are seen as objectionable as he has been extolling known terrorists promoting conversion and terrorism.