Dr Zakir Naik’s passport revoked after NIA’s request

Mumbai, Jul 18: The external affairs ministry has revoked the passport of Zakir Naik, the physician turned Islamic preacher, who is accused by a section of media of promoting terrorism.

"The Mumbai Regional Passport Office has approved the NIA's request to revoke Zakir Naik's passport," a spokesperson for the anti-terror agency said today.

The 51-year-old televangelist, who is currently abroad, is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for unproven charges related to terror and money laundering.

Dr Naik had his passport renewed in January last year and it was valid for 10 years.

The NIA had on November 18, 2016, registered a case against Dr Naik at its Mumbai branch under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

His Mumbai-based NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has already been declared an unlawful association by the Modi government.

The preacher has been accused by India’s ruling party and mainstream media of spreading hatred, delivering provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

Dr Naik, a medical doctor-turned preacher, during his interactions with the Indian media from his haven abroad has repeatedly denied all charges. He was served a show-cause notice by the passport authorities asking as to why his travel document should not be revoked.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year- long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his IRF and Peace TV being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

Besides banning his NGO, the central government has taken his TV channel off air.