The Regional Passport Office of Mumbai has revoked the passport of world-renowned Islamic preacher, Dr Zakir Naik, after he failed to cooperate in a probe linking him to “funding terrorism”.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is heading the probe had requested the External Affairs Ministry to revoke Dr Naik’s passport after he failed to cooperate in the investigation.
Consequently, the Indian cleric was served a show cause notice, asking why his passport should not be revoked in light of the allegations against him.
When Dr Naik failed to respond to the notice, the ministry initiated the process to revoke the passport last week.
The speaker’s organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has already been banned by the Indian authorities for five years for activities alleged terrorism-related offences.
The Maharashtra police has also filed criminal cases against Dr Naik for his apparent involvement in “radicalising youths” and “luring” them into terrorism.
Indian and Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies launched the witch-hunt against the cleric after the Dhaka cafe attack last year, which resulted in the death of 20 hostages.
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Dr Naik has rejected all the allegations made against him, stating that he has a long and consistent record of speaking out against terrorism and the killing of innocent people.
