PTI said, quoting National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources, the controversial Islamic preacher had applied for Malaysian citizenship, but that the Malaysian government was aware of the seriousness of the accusations against him.

Naik was given permanent residency status by the Malaysian government five years ago but this was only revealed recently after activists pressured the government.

PTI said the Indian government planned to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate attempts by Naik to get citizenship in any country.

Naik is said to have been changing his base frequently after the NIA contacted Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him, which would mean that police in any country would be obliged to detain him.

Naik is believed to be shuttling between the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and African and Southeast Asian countries.

PTI said Naik fled India in July last year, immediately after an investigation was initiated against him following claims by terrorists in Bangladesh that they had been inspired by his speeches to carry out an attack on a cafe in Dhaka in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.

Naik is accused of spreading hatred through his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and money laundering. He has failed to return to India to answer the accusations or to be interviewed by law enforcement agencies.

Interpol was approached after a year-long probe which led to the banning of Naik’s NGO – the Islamic Research Foundation. His Peace TV has also been taken off the air by both India and Bangladesh.

Naik’s presence in Malaysia has divided Malaysians of various ethnicities and caused disunity