NO RED CORNER NOTICE YET AGAINST ZAKIR NAIK

The Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) founded by Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik was banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in November 2016 but India has not succeeded so far in getting a Red Corner notice issued by the INTERPOL to get him extradited to face court trial in the country.

The last request for the Red Corner was made on January 3 earlier this year but since then the government has no communication from the agency, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in a written reply to Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Zakir is reportedly holed up in Malaysia and a request was sent to the Malaysian government on January 16 this year for his provisional arrest and extradition, he said. The minister, however, did not disclose that Malaysia turned down India's request.

He said the INTERPOL was requested on 19.05.2017 for issue of the Red Corner notice against Zakir Naik. Clarifications sought by INTERPOL in August and October 2017 were also provided.

The INTERPOL Commission in its session on 24-27 December, 2017, however refused to issue the Red Corner notice for Zakir's arrest on the ground that his extradition was "pre-mature" since the charge-sheet had not been filed till sending the original request.