India will continue to push for Zakir Naik's extradition

India will continue to pursue with Malaysia its request for extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, according to its External Affairs Ministry.

“India has extradition arrangements with many nations. In the past, there are numerous cases of successful extradition to India.

"The fairness of the Indian justice system has never been in question,” ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar was quoted as saying yesterday by Indian daily Hindustan Times.

“India has made a formal request for the extradition of Zakir Naik. We would continue to pursue the matter with Malaysia,” Raveesh said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia would first determine that Zakir would receive a fair trial in his homeland before accepting the extradition request from India.

India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to secure arrest warrants against Zakir and others in an ongoing trial heard by a special court in Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002.

The Mumbai court would decide whether a non-bailable warrant of arrest should be issued against Zakir at its next hearing, scheduled for June 19.

The ED will, after obtaining a non-bailable warrant from the court, request for an Interpol red notice against the Indian-born preacher, as well as extradition from Malaysia.

Zakir, who has claimed that the allegations against him are false, is now a Malaysian permanent resident.