How can a fugitive seek clubbing of FIRs, asks Maharashtra govt on Zakir Naik's plea

New Delhi: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday objected to a plea filed by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik seeking the clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him in Maharashtra and Karnataka over his alleged hate speech.

Appearing on behalf of the Maharashtra government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that he has a preliminary objection to the plea. Mehta contended how can a petition filed by an individual, who has been declared a fugitive by the court of law, be maintainable under Article 32?

Naik has been booked in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the IPC.


A bench comprising Justices Abhay Oka, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Augustine George Masih allowed the state to file a counter affidavit to raise the said objection. The bench said that it would look into the objection raised by the state.

During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the bench enquired about the status of the cases filed against Naik. The bench was told by the counsel for Naik that there are a total of 43 cases against him.

Zakir Naik, who is currently abroad, has been under investigation by the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate for several years. He faces charges under Section 153A of the IPC for promoting enmity between different religious groups and under Sections 10, 13, and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In 2022, the central government declared Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association under the UAPA.