New Delhi, Apr 9: The Delhi Police has traced Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, who has been on the run after an FIR was registered against him for organising a religious gathering last month despite restrictions to combat the coronavirus, sources said on Wednesday.
The cleric has been traced to Zakir Nagar in southeast Delhi, sources said.
His lawyer Tauseef Khan, however, said Saad is under self-quarantine and will join investigation after his quarantine period is over.
On March 31, Delhi Police's Crime Branch lodged an FIR against seven people, including the cleric, on a complaint by Station House Officer Nizamuddin for holding the congregation here allegedly in violation of the orders against large gathering and not maintaining social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus.
A day later, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch wrote to Saad and others, seeking the details under Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. A second notice was also issued to him this week.
"Saad is currently under self-quarantine and will join investigation once the period of 14 days gets over," his advocate, Tauseef Khan, told PTI.
Saad's quarantine is expected to end next week.
His lawyer said a reply to the second notice will be given soon.
In an audio message last week, Saad said he was exercising self-quarantine after several hundreds who visited the Tablighi Jamaat's Nizamudddin markaz tested positive for coronavirus.
Visited by thousands last month, the Nizamudddin centre also turned out to be a hotspot for spread of coronavirus not only in national capital and country.
According to the FIR, the Delhi Police contacted the centre on March 21 and reminded them of the government order that prohibited any political or religious gathering of more than 50 people.
However, no one paid any heed to the police's direction, it said. Moreover, an audio recording purportedly of Saad was found in circulation on WhatsApp on March 21, in which he was heard asking his followers to defy the lockdown and social distancing and to attend the religious gathering of the Markaz.
On March 24, the government ordered 21-day nationwide lockdown and restricted any social, political or religious gathering.
The same day a meeting was held at Hazarat Nizamuddin police station between SHO and officer bearers of the centre.
The meeting was attended by Saad, Mohammad Ashraf, Mohammad Salman, Yunus, Mursaleen Saifi, Jishan and Mufti Shehzad and they were informed about lockdown orders.
So far, several hundred cases of COVID-19 cases across the country have been found to be linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation held in Delhi last month.
More than 25,500 Tablighi members and their contacts have been quarantined in the country after the Centre and the state governments conducted a "mega operation" to identify them.
At least 9,000 people participated in the religious congregation in Nizamuddin. Later, many of the attendees travelled to various parts of the country.
Comments
when a human being brutally killed, people are talking based on religion...... shame on you guys...... see his face.... it is the height of the cruelty... may his soul rest in peace
ARUN KUMAR
DUBAI
Idiot YOGESH, don't just say what ever you get into your mind, I work for RSS & MRM, You should know the fact that Ismail nelyamajalu used to visit tirupathi lord balaji for darshan with his family once or twice a year, he also used to conduct jathara(festival) at a temple in sullia, DK, every year. He was a very kind human being more than a muslim & a politician.
A very good husband, father, brother and a friend, I personally know him since 2013.
Please know the facts before you bark.
Naren, you did not explain what is 72.....you are just making bow, bow,..... you are free to take action against any one making hate comments .....
Dear mr SK ,mr true Indian ...police commissioner alla even DIG bekadru complaint kodi ...mr viren ,bopanna and yogesh and including me have the right to comment ..its not a social media like Facebook and twitter to lodge complain ...this is strictly controlled by admin ......cyber cell will also check anti Hindu comments too ..do u think we will keep quiet ...? We also know laws ...how we can sit when our patriotic organisation like sangh is mocked ...so better mind ur business ...better u talk to CD ...being a responsible media they are responsible for posting news which don't instigate ...but they are not doing ....
Naren, singapore ..what is this figure of 72 ... can you explain further ????
True Indian, Mangalore...it is better to report such matters with mangalore police commissioner,Mr chandrashekar....
Frustrated Brothers Naren And Viren.Papa pandu.Day is not far to pay for all your Comments.In sha allah.We give damn to all your Comments.Carry On.
Papa athmakke shaanthi sigali ..mele 72 virgins sigali .........yelli faizhal Bhai kaanistha illa .....banree \ innu illari rajiwoon antha helree \""
Coastal Digest please do not entertain Brother Viren's Such Comment which disturbs the readers or else we will have to complain against him with the Cyber cell.Please take this message seriously.
Death is not a disaster simply a passing from this world onto the next. It should make us reflect and ponder about the purpose of the life and what will become of us after death. Innah ilahi wa inna ilaihi rajihoon Deep condolence insha Allah grant him forgiveness and higher in heavens. Ameen
I have conducted a survey of Friday murders in coastal Karnataka. Especially immediately after or before Muslims special prayers. 99% of such murders are committed by Muslims only.
So Yogesh is making a confession that BJP is behind this murder ?
Shocking incident, he was really a prominent leader of congress. anyways rest in peace.
May his soul rest in peace
whoever made this brutal crime must be punish them in the like same. seriously a inhuman act.
How people can b so cruel? Y can't we lead our four days of life happily. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.
Innalillahi va inna ilayhi rajivoon
Innalillah
Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajiwoon.
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