How Can a Fugitive Seek Clubbing of FIRs? Centre Questions Zakir Naik's Plea in SC

The Centre on Wednesday questioned before the Supreme Court the maintainability of a plea filed by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik seeking clubbing of FIRs filed in different states over his purported statements during the Ganapati festival in 2012.

Appearing before a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought to know how a person declared a fugitive could draft a plea under Article 32 of the Constitution.
"I was told by his advocate that they are withdrawing the matter. Our counter was ready," said Mehta.

The lawyer for Naik said, "I haven't received any such instruction to withdraw the matter and the plea sought clubbing of about 43 cases registered across states."
The counsel also added that there were six FIRs pending against his client and would move the high court for quashing of the same.

After the submission, the apex court asked Naik's lawyer to file an affidavit stating whether he would continue the case or withdraw it while asking Mehta to file a reply in the matter. The hearing has been posted for October 23.
Naik, who is also abroad, is also being probed by the National Investigation Agency for alleged terror activities.

Naik was born in Mumbai but he fled India in the wake of the July 1, 2016 bombing at a cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is believed to have spread hatred amongst various communities through his Peace TV and social media networks where he has more than 20 million followers. The accused is stated to be residing in Malaysia at the moment.

Over 20 people were killed in the blast at Dhaka and one of the bombers had reportedly claimed to have been inspired by Naik's speeches.

Some youths, who had joined the Islamic State, had allegedly said that they were attracted to the Middle-East's deadliest terror group after meeting the controversial preacher.

Naik has denied his role in any of these incidents.