Nizamuddin Markaz: Delhi Police files FIR against Maulana Saad, others of Tablighi Jamaat

In a big development, a case has been 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. Earlier, Markaz Nizamuddin claimed that it had t flouted rules and discontinued religious function after anuncement of nationwide lockdown. Instead, it alleged that many of attendees were stuck due to unavailability of transport services. 

Read: 17 New COVID-19 Cases In AP, Govt Says Majority Share Links With Markaz Nizamuddin Event

MHA issues clarification

According to Ministry of Home Affairs, 1746 individuals including 216 foreigners were staying in Markaz building as of March 21. After MHA's advisory on March 28, police personnel in different states identified 2,137 persons associated with Tablighi Jamaat in order to screen m for vel coronavirus and quarantine m. Meanwhile, MHA revealed that 1203 Tablighi Jamaat workers in Markaz Nizamuddin have been medically screened since March 26 out of which 303 symptomatic patients have been referred to different hospitals. On or hand, remaining people have been sent to quarantine centres in Narela, Bakkarwala, and Sultanpuri. 

Read: Tamil Nadu: 45 People Who Attended Nizamuddin Markaz Test Positive For Coronavirus

religious congregation at Markaz Nizamuddin

A controversy erupted when a religious congregation was held at Markaz Nizamuddin, Tablighi Jamaat international headquarters in mid-March defying social distancing rms. As per Delhi government, this was in violation of prevailing orders, which prohibited large garings. Earlier in day, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain confirmed that 24 people who were at  Tablighi Jamaat congregation tested positive for vel coronavirus. 

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal directed an FIR to be registered against  organizers of  religious congregation. Meanwhile, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh  raised questions on how foreign nationals were allowed to attend  religious congregation without getting screened for vel coronavirus or quarantined. He alleged that this constituted “gross negligence” on part of  Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi Police. 

Read: COVID-19: MHA Reveals '2137 Markaz Attendees Quarantined Across India'; 1746 In Nizamuddin

Read: AAP's Sanjay Singh Slams Centre Over Foreigners At Markaz, Alleges 'y Weren't Screened'