The Regional Passport Office (RPO) on Tuesday(18 July) revoked the Indian passport of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik under the provisions of the Passport Act, 1967, said National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The NIA has been looking for Naik since last year accusing him of encouraging and aiding his followers through his public speeches, lectures and talks, to promote on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred and ill-will between different religious communities and groups. The IRF has already been declared as an unlawful association by Government of India as per a notification dated 17 November 2016.

Sources said that Naik holds Passport No. Z2200757 that was issued in Mumbai on 13 May 2011. His passport was renewed on 20 January 2016 in Mumbai and a new passport was issued in his name bearing number Z3606623, with a validity of 10 years.

In the course of investigation of the NIA case, Naik has thrice been issued notices but he did not join the investigation. Thereafter on 21 April, the NIA special court issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Naik. Earlier in the month, the NIA said it was also tracking Naik's financial transactions that include at least 10 companies and 19 properties in Mumbai and Pune, in which Naik has invested an estimated Rs 104 crore.

The NIA has also initiated proceedings to get a Red Corner Notice against Naik and has sent the requisite documents to the National Central Bureau of Interpol in India on 11 May 2017.