Will come back if court gives immunity from arrest, says Zakir Naik

Mumbai: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has again offered to return to India and make himself available for questioning in money laundering cases if the apex court gives him immunity from arrest until conviction. His latest offer comes in the backdrop of reports of ED mulling over another warrant to formally arrest him.

This is his second offer to join investigation within 10 days. Earlier, Naik had issued a statement on June 11 soon after the Malaysian government publicly announced that they would not hand over Naik to India. The televangelist had stated that he had confidence in Indian judiciary but not in the prosecuting agencies.   

On Friday, Naik issued a statement stating, “I don't understand the need for another warrant against me when similar warrant was issued in the courts twice in 2017. There was no need for this, especially in the absence of any evidence or proof of wrongdoing. This is merely to keep me in the news and take away focus from important matters facing the country.”

The controversial figure, who is held up in Malaysia as a permanent resident, added that he trust’s the Indian judiciary but not the prosecution system.

“The recent history of India is replete with cases of Muslims arrested and put in jail for eight, 10, 15 or even 20 years before being declared innocent by the courts. Knowing this record of Indian agencies, I don’t want to take a chance of ruining my life and my unfinished work,” Naik stated.

He urged the Supreme Court again to give him a ‘written’ surety that he would not be arrested and jailed until he is convicted of the allegations pending against him.

“In that case, I will return to India, and I will make myself available to the courts,” Naik said.