Inter-departmental consultations on for Zakir Naik's extradition: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the inter-departmental consultations were on for the extradition of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president and preacher Zakir Naik from Malaysia.

"The inter-departmental consultations are on. We will conclude them soon and then ask for extradition (from Malaysia)," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Zakir Naik.

Last week, the MEA said India would soon make a request to the Malaysian Government for Naik's extradition.

On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it would explore all the legal options to bring Naik back to India.

"We will explore all legal options which are available to us to bring him (Naik) back so that he faces trial before the court," NIA Inspector General (IG) Alok Mittal told ANI.

The NIA filed a chargesheet against Naik in a special court in Mumbai.

The Islamic preacher is facing charges of incitement of terror activities, hate speeches among youth and money laundering.

Last year in November, the NIA's Mumbai branch had registered a case against Naik under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The case was registered a day after the Union Home Ministry declared Naik's Mumbai based IRF as an unlawful association.

Naik fled from India after some terrorists allegedly involved in the Dhaka cafe attack claimed that they were inspired by his speeches.

He had so far delivered over 1,500 public lectures/talks in India and abroad.