The Asian Age quoted an ED official who said Naik was allegedly in Malaysia in April to hold discussions with several “intellectuals”.
“The ED is exploring legal avenues to become a party in the proceedings related to a suit in a Malaysia court asking for his deportation,” the official was reported as saying.
Naik is wanted for questioning in India over money-laundering and terrorism-related crimes. He fled India in 2016, after a suspect in a terror attack on a Dhaka cafe in Bangladesh said he had been influenced by Naik’s speeches, and Bangladesh banned his Peace TV channel.
In March, 19 individuals including Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy and lawyer Siti Kasim filed a suit against the government for allegedly harbouring the controversial preacher.
They said he was capable of threatening national security and harmony, and had encouraged terrorism in public.
They also sought a court order that Naik be considered a threat to Malaysia, and an order to stop him from coming to the country or remaining there, if he was already in the country.
Last week, the Times of India said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had charged Naik with heading an “unlawful association” and inciting youths to commit acts of terror and join global outfits such as the Islamic State.
The agency added that Naik had “deliberately insulted” the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and Islamic sects like Shia, Sufi and Barelvi.
According to sources quoted by the Asian Age, the ED can request its Malaysian counterparts to represent its case in the suit to ensure that Naik is brought to the country to face the money laundering probe.
Naik’s Mumbai-based lawyer Amin Solkar told the paper that he did not know whether the preacher was in Malaysia.
“If the ED or any other agency serves summons to him as per law, we can think about what steps can be taken.
“If they think he is abroad, the correct way to serve the summons to him will be through his email address. I don’t know if this is being done,” Amin was quoted as saying.
Naik reportedly failed to respond to four previous ED summons served against him.