Blow to Modi govt as Interpol gives clean chit to Dr Zakir Naik, cancels red corner notice

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Interpol on Saturday cancelled red corner notice against Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik saying that the so evidence submitted by Indian government’s agencies against him was could not prove any of the terror charges levelled against him by them and media.

The Interpol contended that there was a severe lack of evidentiary basis, a failure by Indian authorities to follow due process of law, political and religious bias that formed the basis of such a notice, and lack of international interest.

In addition, the Interpol Commission also instructed all its worldwide officers to take down all the data from the files of Dr. Zakir Naik.

The Interpol was listening to the request made by The National Central Bureau of Interpol of India made in May 2017 pertaining to Naik.

The Indian NCB of Interpol had requested for Red Corner Notice against Naik accusing him of “promoting enmity between two different religious groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony, being a member of unlawful Association etc”.

The Indian government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had banned Naik and his organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in November last year.

Earlier in October, the NIA had filed a chargesheet against the internationally acclaimed orator accusing him of promoting enmity and hatred between religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures.

Dr Naik was also charged with conspiring with Islamic Research Foundation’s (IRF) Trust and the Harmony Media Private Limited to commit the offences. He has been chargesheeted under section 10 UA (P) Act and Sections 120B, 153A, 295A, 298 and 505(2) IPC.

The investigating agency claimed that there were 19 immovable properties, including land and building, worth Rs 104 crore connected with the Zakir Naik. The source, as well as the mode of acquisition of these properties, is being investigated.

The NIA claimed that Zakir Naik deliberately insulted other religions or religious beliefs under the aegis of IRF with help of HMPL to cause dissatisfaction.

The 51-year-old scholar of comparative religion, who is currently abroad, is being probed under terror and money-laundering charges by the NIA. He did not visit India after Indian media began a hate campaign against him after a Bangladeshi newspaper reported that one of the terrorists had followed him on Facebook.

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

His Mumbai-based NGO, Islamic Research Foundation has already been declared an unlawful association by the Union home ministry.