India News

Interpol turns down NIA’s plea for Red Corner Notice against Zakir Naik

Published

9 years ago

December 17, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NIA may send fresh request with charge-sheet copy on Monday

In a major relief for controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik, Interpol has turned down National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea for issuing a Red-Corner Notice (RCN) against him. While rejecting the NIA’s request Interpol has recently cited that no charge-sheet was filed against the accused at the time of making the plea.

The Interpol commission – which was looking into the RCN request and Dr Naik’s challenging contentions between October 24 and 27 – said in a its December 11 order that “the issuance of a red notice for the applicant’s arrest with a view to his extradition is premature”.

In a quick clarification to its stand the NIA has stated that the ground of complaint against Dr Naik was merely a “technical” one and the charge-sheet was filed subsequently on October 26, this year – “a fact that Interpol did not take cognizance of”. While the NIA made the RCN request against the Islamic preacher in May this year, it filed the charge-sheet only in October.

“The only ground cited by Interpol is that no charges were submitted against Naik when the request was made. The order clearly states the rest of the contentions raised by Naik were not examined. Though NIA later filed the charge-sheet coinciding with the commission’s deliberations, Interpol did not take cognizance or seek a copy of the charge-sheet,” said an NIA official.

However, the NIA asserted that it will be filing a fresh request – along with a copy of the charge-sheet filed by the agency before a special NIA court – to the international police agency, possibly on Monday.

Furthermore in favor of Dr Naik, the Interpol – in a communication sent to Naik’s lawyer – has stated that it has deleted all data related to Naik from its record – the same had been contested by the accused earlier. Stating that the data had been deleted on November 9, the Interpol mentioned, “After a thorough examination of elements before it, the Commission found that the data contested raised questions as to compliance with applicable rules.”

Confirming the rejection of the RCN plea, a home ministry official said, “In a meeting held at the Interpol recently, they have decided against issuing RCN for lack of a charge-sheet. It’s no setback. Now our charge-sheet is filed. We will send a fresh request. We are sure Interpol will issue RCN this time.”

The NIA, on October 26, had filed a charge-sheet against Zakir Naik alleging that the Islamic preacher is not only a terror suspect but also wanted for inciting communal hatred – by trying to convince youths, through his speeches, to get into the path of terror. In its charge-sheet against Naik, the agency has also mentioned the names of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Harmony Media Limited – the companies promoted by Naik.

The agency has also termed Naik as an absconding accused. NIA’s charge-sheet against Naik has been filed under section 10 UA (P) Act and Sections 120B, 153A, 295A, 298 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.

Following claims from a Bangladeshi terrorist of being inspired by Dr Naik’s speeches for terror activities – the Islamic preacher fled India on July 1, 2016. The NIA filed a charge-sheet against him in November last year under several sections of IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act generally known as UAPA.

However, the Indian government has not yet requested for Naik’s deportation from Malaysia – where he is presently residing. Earlier last month, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in a statement that the government is ready to send back Dr Naik if India requests based on Mutual Legal Assistance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:Interpol Malasiya Zakir Naik

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

6 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

11 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

15 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.