Mumbai, July 4: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik will soon be extradited to India by the Malaysian government. According to television reports, Malaysia has confirmed the extradition of Zakir Naik. However, Naik refuted the report calling it 'baseless'.

"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. Insha Allah when I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland," Naik said in a statement.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began probe against Zakir Naik after his sermons on his Peace TV were cited as a reason by Bangladesh for an attack in Dhaka in 2016, which left 22 people dead. In March, the Indian government sought Naik's extradition from Malaysia accusing him of inciting youth to take up jihad.

Naik’s NGO — Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) — has also been declared unlawful since 2016 and is being probed by the ED over allegations of money laundering to the tune of more than Rs 18 crore. Naik, in a 2,000-word open letter, had urged the government to be “fair” in its investigation and be “truthful with facts”.

In July last year, a special court in Mumbai declared Naik a "proclaimed offender". According to media reports, Naik has been given permanent residency in Malaysia and has close contacts with top Malaysian government officials.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2018 01:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).