India's request to extradite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik is under "active consideration" of the Malaysian authorities, the government said on Thursday.
"We had made a formal request for extradition of Zakir Naik, an Indian national living in Malaysia.
It was made as per the extradition treaty we have in place with Malaysia, " External Affairs Ministry (MEA) Spokesman Raveesh Kumar said here.
"At this stage, all I can say is that our request is under active consideration of the Malaysian authorities.
Our High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in regular touch with relevant authorities in Malaysia. "
Naik is facing various charges, including for hate speech and money laundering through Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) that he founded.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had first registered a case against the evangelist under anti - terror laws in 2016 for promoting enmity between religious groups.
On Wednesday, Naik in a statement said that he had no plans to come to India till he felt safe from "unfair prosecution".
"When I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland, " he has said.
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