Zakir Naik
The controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Wednesday said he would not return home till he felt safe from unfair prosecution. He has been staying abroad to evade arrest in various cases in India.
His statement came amid some reports that he was being deported to India from Malaysia.
"The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution," said Naik in the statement, reported news agency PTI and added that he would surely return to homeland when he feels that the government will be just and fair.
He is facing various cases, including for hate speech and money laundering, in India.
In 2016, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had first registered a case against him under anti-terror laws for allegedly promoting enmity between different religious groups.
The NIA and Mumbai Police, subsequently, had also carried out searches at 10 places in Mumbai including residential premises of some of the office bearers of the foundation run by 51-year-old Islamic preacher.
Home Ministry put the foundation on the restricted list.
(With PTI inputs)
