The Interpol has refused to issue a red corner notice against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and has instructed its worldwide offices to delete all data on the controversial Islamic preacher, media reports said on Saturday.
According to CNN-News18, after a thorough examination, the Interpol’s commission said in a detailed report that the charges made by India against Naik were based on vague accusations. The commission further contended that there was a lack of evidence against him.
#BREAKING | Interpol cancels Red Corner Notice on Zakir Naik; instructs its worldwide offices to delete all data on him | @radhika1705 with more details pic.twitter.com/jjtNeGn5wJ
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 16, 2017
Naik’s London-based legal firm was informed about the decision by the Interpol in a letter dated 11 December. DNA reported that the Interpol cited failure by Indian authorities to follow due process of law, political and religious bias, and lack of international interest as the reasons for its decision.
The data was deleted from Interpol’s files in November, India Today reported. The commission considered that the retention of this data was “not compliant with the Interpol’s rules and decided that it should be deleted.”
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has been on the hunt for Naik since 2016, had approached the Interpol in May seeking a red corner notice against him.
In October, the NIA had filed a charge sheet against the founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) before a special court in Mumbai for allegedly inciting youth, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between religious groups.
Naik was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in addition to certain Sections 120B, 153A, 295A, 298 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
In the 4,000-page charge sheet, the NIA noted that Naik “conspired with IRF trust and Harmony Media Private Limited (both promoted by him) to commit offences of promoting hatred and outraging religious feelings.”
The Centre had banned IRF in November 2016 for five years. At a meeting, the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to declare IRF as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
