SC seeks facts on blacklisting of foreign Tablighis from Centre; next hearing on July 2

On Monday, a three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna sought information from Centre about blacklisting and cancellation of visas of foreign nationals who attended Markaz Nizamuddin religious congregation in Delhi. bench was hearing a number of petitions challenging blacklisting and cancellation of foreigner Tablighi Jamaat members by Ministry of Home Affairs. During hearing, apex court questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on why foreign Tablighis were still in India despite ir visas being cancelled. After Mehta sought more time to file a reply, SC fixed matter for furr hearing on July 2. 

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Pleas in SC

Around 2,500 foreigners were blacklisted for a period of 10 years from travelling to India for ir alleged involvement in Tablighi Jamaat activities. Filed by foreign Tablighis from 35 countries, petitions have demanded directions to MHA to remove ir names from blacklist, reinstate ir visas and facilitate ir return to ir respective countries. y termed "unilateral blacklisting" of foreigners as a violation of Article 21 of Constitution. On June 5,  Centre h informed  SC that re was need for a CBI investigation into Tablighi Jamaat congregation.

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Markaz controversy

 controversy erupted when 24 people who h attended religious congregation at Markaz Nizamuddin tested positive for COVID-19. Thousands of people who participated in event travelled to various states in India, risking spre of vel coronavirus. According to Ministry of Home Affairs, 1746 individuals including 216 foreigners were staying in Markaz building as of March 21. 

As per Delhi government, religious congregation violated prevailing orders, which prohibited large garings. However, Markaz claimed that it h t flouted rules and discontinued religious function after anuncement of nationwide lockdown. Inste, it alleged that many of attendees were stuck due to unavailability of transport services.

On March 31, Delhi Police registered a case against Maulana Sa and or officials of Tablighi Jamaat under sections od  Epidemic Disease Act,1897 and Section 269, 270, 271, and 120-B of Indian Penal Code. In FIR, it has been stated that congregation failed to take safety measures for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. As of April 3, 30% of total COVID-19 cases in India were linked to Tablighi Jamaat religious congregation. 

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(With ANI inputs)