On Oct 13, a senior journalist from India’s The Republic Media Network, widely regarded as sympathetic to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), travelled to Putrajaya to meet Zakir Naik.

The Indian-born Muslim preacher, who resides in Malaysia, remains a wanted man in India, where he faces allegations that have fuelled a protracted legal and diplomatic saga between the two countries.

The journalist, Anirudda Bhakat, claimed that Zakir, his associates, and family members occupy the entire 21st floor of a condominium tower.

The Republic described the meeting between its journalist and the preacher as a “sting”.