Will hand over keys of Nizamuddin Markaz to Maulana Saad: Delhi Police tells Delhi High Court

The Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court on Monday that it will hand over the keys of Nizamuddin Markaz (headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat) to Maulana Muhammad Saad [Delhi Waqf Board, Through its Chairman v. GNCTD and Ors]. .Interestingly, Maulana Saad is one of the main accused in Delhi Police's FIR registered in March 2020 alleging that several members of Tablighi Jamaat were living there in violation of Covid-19 norms.Even today, Delhi Police's counsel, Rajat Nair, said that Saad is still absconding. However, the counsel appearing for the managing committee of Markaz challenged the statement. .Single-judge Justice Jasmeet Singh recorded Nair's statement that the keys will be handed over to Saad after he furnishes an indemnity bond."Counsel for for Delhi Police states that they will have no objection in handing over the keys of the property to Maulana Saad on him furnishing indemnity bond without any documents. In this view of the matter, the petitioner (Delhi Waqf Board) does not wish to prosecute the petition any further. With these directions, the petition is disposed," the Court ordered. .The Court was dealing with a petition filed by the Delhi Waqf Board seeking full reopening of the mosque which was closed in March 2020..Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghose appeared for the Waqf Board and argued that though the mosque has been allowed to reopen, some parts of the Markaz building are still locked and key is with the Delhi Police."The premises has three components; madrassa, hostel and mosque. What has been permitted to be opened is only with respect to the mosque part. If they (Delhi Police) are saying nothing survives in this petition, let them do away with locking," Ghose said..However, Nair argued that that Waqf has no locus in the matter as the keys were taken from the mutawwalis and will be handed over to them. On court's query about who was person who handed over the key, Nair said that it was Maulana Saad. Justice Singh questioned the Police about whether it can be in custody of a property like this on basis of an FIR registered under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.He then recorded the statement of the police and disposed of the plea. .Delhi High Court allows full reopening of Nizamuddin Markaz mosque for Shab-e-Barat day

Will hand over keys of Nizamuddin Markaz to Maulana Saad: Delhi Police tells Delhi High Court

Prashant Jha

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