The girl had recently left her husband who police said had wanted to use her as a sex slave for the Islamic State (IS).

The Times of India (TOI) quoted a police spokesman as making the claim in a remand report filed in court against Muhammad Riyaz over his alleged attempt to send the unnamed girl to Syria.

However, the report said that despite Naik’s salafi leanings, he was not an inspiration for the cadres, and his style of preaching to non-Muslims by calling them “brothers” contrasted with IS teachings.

Police had slapped the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against Riyaz.

In October last year, Indian authorities charged Naik, who currently lives in Malaysia, with heading an “unlawful association” and inciting youths to commit acts of terror and join global outfits such as IS.

Naik, whose Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) is banned in India, has denied the allegations.

Wanted in India, Naik set to rebuild empire in friendly Malaysia