MEA revokes Zakir Naik’s passport

New Delhi: The government has revoked the passport of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik following a request from the National Investigation Agency. 

Earlier this month, the Regional Passport Office at Mumbai had issued a showcause notice to Naik seeking a detailed response as to why his travel document should not be cancelled in view of ongoing investigations against him. 

Sources said as Naik failed to respond to the showcause notice, the aut-horities decided to revoke his passport. Naik’s passport was renewed last year and was valid for a period of 10 years.

The NIA, with Central intelligence organisations, is already conducting investigations against Naik for his alleged involvement in anti-terror activities and money laundering. The NIA has also registered a case against Naik who escaped from India on July 1. 

Cases were lodged against Naik in November last year at NIA’s Mumbai branch under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Indian Penal Code. Naik’s outfit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has already been declared as an unlawful organisation and banned by the Home Ministry.

Even though passport authorities have cancelled Naik’s passport, it is still not clear where he is operating from as intelligence agencies claim he has been shifting base frequently. The NIA has also approached the Interpol to get a Red Corner Notice issued against him. Investigations by the NIA have so far revealed that Naik and his organisation has as many as 37 properties, worth a whopping `100 crore, most of which are in or around Mumbai. 

According to the NIA, Naik has been instrumental in promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups within the country through his hate speeches in a bid to incite Muslim youth and terror operatives in India and abroad to resort to subversive activities.