Zakir Naik extradition: Long legal battle ahead for India

It is not only the cold response from Malaysian government that has stonewalled India’s efforts to bring back controversial preacher Zakir Naik, but Interpol has also not yet issued a Red Corner Notice. 

Indian investigating agencies say, the Paris-based headquarters of Interpol has not even responded to India’s request, sent seven months ago. “It is possible that the international agency is not satisfied with the case against Zakir Naik,” the officials said. Naik, so far, has succeed to convince the Malaysian government that he is being politically persecuted in India.

A Red Corner Notice, closest to an international arrest warrant, is the first step to extradition of a suspect who is holed up in a foreign country. India’s request for the extradition of Zakir Naik has been turned down by Malaysia. Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Naik has been given permanent residency status and will not be sent back “as long as he is not creating any problem”.  

India’s initial request for a Red Corner Notice against Zakir Naik was returned down by Interpol, as a court had not taken cognizance of the case against him. After the legal formalities, it was submitted again in December last year. 

But, so far, the Interpol has not responded to the request. Normally, the Interpol issues a Red Corner Notice within three weeks. This was the case even for  Vijay Mallya, diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.  

Officials say now that Zakir Naik has been given permanent resident status by Malaysia, there is a long legal battle ahead.