Nizamuddin Markaz: Delhi Police writes to Delhi Government seeking immediate action

After the Markaz Nizamuddin Congregation debacle, which has posed a massive threat to the entire nation by increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection spreading across the country, the Delhi Police has written a letter to Delhi Government seeking immediate action with regards to all persons - including 157 foreign nationals - associated with Tablighi Jamaat.

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

READ | ON TAPE: Markaz Chief Urges Muslims To Defy Lockdown, Terms Coronavirus A 'conspiracy'

Besides seeking action from the Delhi government, the Delhi Police has also registered a case against Maulana Saad and other officials of Tablighi Jamaat for violating the restriction pertaining to a religious gathering. Sections under the Epidemic Disease Act,1897 and Section 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code have been invoked. It has been stated in the FIR that the congregation failed to take safety measures for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection. 

The Markaz Nizamuddin claimed that it had not flouted the rules and discontinued the religious function after the announcement of the nationwide lockdown, claiming that many of the attendees were stuck due to the unavailability of transport services. 

READ | Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 3400 Nizamuddin Event Attendees Traced & Isolated; Cases At 1397

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

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 1746 individuals including 216 foreigners were staying in the Markaz building as of March 21. After the MHA's advisory on March 28, the police personnel in different states identified 2,137 persons associated with the Tablighi Jamaat in order to screen them for the novel coronavirus and quarantine them.

Meanwhile, the MHA revealed that 1203 Tablighi Jamaat workers in the Markaz Nizamuddin have been medically screened since March 26 out of which 303 symptomatic patients have been referred to different hospitals. On the other hand, the remaining people have been sent to quarantine centres in Narela, Bakkarwala, and Sultanpuri in the national capital. 

(Image - PTI)