Indians housing Tablighi Jamaat members added to COVID-19 spread: Delhi Police tells High Court

The Delhi Police submitted before the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that Indians who housed Tablighi Jamaat members contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in the country (Majid Miyan and Ors v. State).

. Justice Mukta Gupta was told that the petitioners had violated prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) by allowing the movement of the said members to a mosque in the area.

"By admitting the assembly into Masjid premises without any social distancing or hygiene measures, the Petitioners not only violated the S 144 order dated 31.03.2020 and the GNCTD notification dated 22.03.2020 but also contributed to the spreading of Covid-19, a life-threatening disease,” the Delhi Police stated.

. The Court was examining a set of status reports and affidavits filed in relation to petitions challenging the first information report (FIR) registered at the Chandni Mahal Police Station against the proprietors of a mosque and some locals.

It was alleged that some members of the Tablighi Jamaat, after being asked to move from Nizamuddin Markaz, had come to the masjid in the Chandni Mahal area. Some locals are alleged to have housed the members who left the Markaz.

. The police report stated that members of the Tablighi Jamaat moved from the Markaz to the Chandni Mahal mosque between March 26, 2020 and April 1, 2020.

“Accordingly, the members of Masjid Administration, by accepting them and allowing them to reside in the Masjid, had breached the notification dated 22.03.2020 of the GNCTD closing religious places of any denomination and the S 144 CrPC order by the ACP, Daryaganj,” read the status report.

. Advocate Ashima Mandla, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the government had banned religious gatherings and congregations, and that the Jamaat members were at the mosque only for shelter.

Justice Gupta meanwhile gave the petitioners four weeks’ time to file their written submissions and rejoinder-affidavits in each petition.

While fixing the matter for further hearing on February 28, the Court asked the State to file its written submissions in the matter.

. During a previous hearing, the Court had pulled up the Delhi Police for failing to complete investigation in the case. The Court also expressed its displeasure over the fact that no status report had been brought on record.

Previously, the Court had enquired,

“When the lockdown was imposed no one could go out of the house. There was no question of changing the place at the time… In light of these facts tell me where the violation is."

.[Tablighi Jamaat] Any bar on people staying in temple, mosque or gurudwara? Delhi High Court asks Police

Indians housing Tablighi Jamaat members added to COVID-19 spread: Delhi Police tells High Court

Prashant Jha

Related Stories