Mumbai Police conducts searches to find Nizamuddin Markaz attendees

Following a major health scare that happened after several COVID-19 positive cases emerged from an event held in Nizamuddin Markaz, several searches were conducted in Mumbai on Wednesday in a bid to locate people who had participated in a Tablighi Jamaat. According to reports, searches were conducted at various locations on April 1. 

This comes as several people who participated in event have tested positive for Coronavirus from various regions of country. tably, six people from Telangana who attended garing have died due to COVID-19. A total of 2,361 people have been brought out from Markaz in Nizamuddin in a joint operation by authorities, out of which, 617 have been sent to hospitals while rest have been sent to different quarantine facilities.

An FIR has also been registered against Tablighi Jamaat head Maulana Saad and ors under Epidemic Disease Act 1897 and several or relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

READ: 10% of all of India's Coronavirus positive cases w have direct link to Nizamuddin event

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier today informed that re are 1,637 coronavirus positive cases in India, including 1,466 active cases, 133 cured/discharged/migrated people and 38 deaths.

READ: Gujarat: 29 Nizamuddin attendees traced in Ahmedabad, all test negative for COVID-19

What is Nizamuddin COVID-19 scare?

A religious program was organized at Tablighi Jamaat's headquarters Markaz Nizamuddin mosque between 13-15 March which was attended by over three thousand people, from India and abroad, who since dispersed. After attending meeting, which took place prior to nationwide lockdown but after Delhi government's own directive against such garings, many of attendees returned to or parts of country, with spread of COVID-19 virus w being confirmed from numerous states as a result.

A case was registered by Delhi Police against Maulana Saad and or officials of Tablighi Jamaat for violating restriction pertaining to a religious garing. Sections under Epidemic Disease Act,1897 and Section 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of Indian Penal Code have been invoked. In FIR, it has been stated that congregation failed to take safety measures for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In an alleged audiotape of Markaz accessed by Republic, a preacher is telling people that Coronavirus is a conspiracy to disrupt ir way of life, going on to make statements against science and general guidelines of public health at a time like this.

READ: 569 participants of religious discourse in Nizamuddin found in UP state: Official

READ: Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 2361 Nizamuddin Markaz occupants evacuated; total case at 1637

(With Inputs from ANI)