India revokes Zakir Naik’s passport

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's passport has been revoked by the Indian government after he failed to appear before the country's anti-terror body over alleged terror-financing.

The Regional Passport Office in Mumbai, where Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation is based, withdrew the passport after he consistently failed to respond to a show cause notice issued to him for personal appearance by July 13, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

The notice was served asking Naik why his passport should not be revoked in view of various investigations pending against him.

India's External Affairs Ministry had begun the process of revoking Naik's passport last week after receiving the request from National Investigation Agency.

The anti-terror body on November 18, 2016, registered a criminal case against Naik under Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Indian authorities have already banned IRF and taken off the air his Peace TV channel.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering crores of rupees over the years. He had fled India in July last year.

A special court in Mumbai had issued a non-bailable warrant against Naik who had been reportedly travelling abroad ever since he left India.