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.
The protesters, who gathered near the Sanskrit College Circle here, raised slogans glorifying Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt and slammed the Dalit leaders, who raised voice against him.
Comments
Why is Pejawar seer, BJP and RSS hiding behind these sold out , so-called Muslims. why can't they come out on their own?
This is amusing. First ask pejawar seer why he keeps endorsing all the abuses and threats against the Muslims community during the \Hindu samajotsavas\" where he's the main organiser. Pejawar seer is the leading light of the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Please ask him to tell his group the VHP and Bajrang Dal to stop killing and raping Muslims (nowadays in the name of beef as well), then he can ask for their support. Thank you"
These are Muslims just in name. We need to know how much BJP & RSS has promised to give them for this publicity stunt. pejawar is behind the growth of the RSS and BD in the region, that has made life of Muslims miserable, and think they are 2nd class citizens. He was a leading light of the Babri demolition, and also behind the gau rakshaks who beat up and kill muslim traders . Instead of hiding behind these 'Muslims for rent', BJP and RSS should \protect\" Pejawar themselves, if they have any shame"
oh
Abdullah told good answer
Members of Udupi District Muslim Souharda Vedike (Bunch of Jokers in Udupi) , first of all you people protect yourself then talk about protecting the temple.
One of your hardcore Member (ANSAR) he himself is a THIEF, he had stolen gold at his own home in 2003, his father registered complaint in Udupi town police station. after investigation police arrested him.
Who is this Arif. Is he representative of Muslim community. I think such people led the protesters of sangh parivar to pelt stones to Masjids and shops/houses belongs to Muslims. I hope these ppl gave information to sangh parivars aboutthe Muslims who sacrifice animals. Is he really Arif and only a name given by sangh parivar to divide muslim community.
Muslims got high respect on Shri Krishna Matt . One should not cause any harm to mutt. Shri Pejawar Swamiji had gone all along from Udupi to Ayodhya to destroy the Babri Masjid.
Please dont call Muslims ... Call MRM sold outs... to cheddis
This Swamiji motivated the terrorist goons to demolish 5 century old Babri Masjid. thereby destroyed secularism in India. now needs the support of bone-licking munafiks
Let those mutt swamis chelas protect it....why muslims....go and protect yourself...from hell fire.....
Pejawar seer is known as as a hardcore advocate of RSS
well done. Thank you for staging protest and showing solidarity.. let's unite for good cause.
Dear Muslim Brother's.
First protect yourself from Hell fire.Later you can think of protecting other's. First learn about Islam then advise your Pejawar Sree about Islam and life after death.
Fear ALLAH,Obey Prophet Muhammed(pbuh).
It is a plan of pejawara.
his mutt has given some money to non practicing muslims (only name is muslim).
He want to devide dalits and muslims.
Mr. Arif how can say muslim community would be there to protect the thieves!!!???
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