Amid manhunt, Nizamuddin Markaz chief Maulana Saad may address media at 4 pm: Sources

In a massive development on Thursday, sources said that Maulana Saad, chief of Tablighi Jamaat who organised Nizamuddin Markaz event in Delhi and hosted around 2000 people in mid- March amid Coronavirus outbreak, will brief media at 4 PM. Though still untraceable, sources said that he may be picked up by Police by evening or may release a video of him stating that he has home quarantined himself. Nizamuddin West area emerged as a hotspot of COVID 19 spread, days 24 people who attended congregation tested positive, leading to a nationwide tracing of attendees.

As per sources, Maulana Saad had received a Police tice on March 28 after which he fled and continues to remain untraceable. Delhi Police sources said that raids are being conducted at his possible hideouts. Police also added that he has been communicated to him to undergo a medical examination as he is a suspect for Coronavirus, as are all attendees of meeting. cases in India witnessed a sharp rise after Markaz attendees were traced and tested in different parts of country. 

Markaz chief Saad had allegedly in his sermon urged Muslims to defy lockdown and come out to pray toger to break COVID-19 “curse”. He termed  pandemic as a 'conspiracy to separate Muslims and make m untouchable' but also added that those who have been detected with Coronavirus have to be quarantined.

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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, many of attendees returned to or parts of country.

A case was registered by Delhi Police against Maulana Saad and or attendees of congregation by Tablighi Jamaat for violating restriction pertaining to religious garings. 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. 

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mosque, meanwhile, claimed that while y were letting small groups of attendees leave from venue prior to Janta Curfew, several were stuck in area – which has w been entirely quarantined – owing to nationwide lockdown. Regardless, Delhi DyCM Sisodia has confirmed that over a thousand attendees have been tracked down, and over 600 have shown symptoms, indicating scope of threat.

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