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
This women has gone crazy.... evey time she opens her mouth she spills hatred and venom.... i laugh and feel pity on those people who elected her on what basis they have elected her i dont know.....can you point out a single area where she has done good thing for the society...... i havent seen she speak about her work about the development....... she is into communal politics only
Get "wedlock with Yeddi", 2nd time ?
Abhi counsi shaadi ?
soon she will be out of BJP....
BJP has no need to join hand with other terror-communal organisations. They are one who spits communal venom all the time
Who joined hands with PDP?? Thuppakki Shobha forgot that..!!
Wonderfull Akkama Akka, what about Baj Ranji? Terrorist RSS? What about your Yeddi Chaddi?
you pull of the gate, one way Trafic? not good nowadays every were two way trafic Akkamma, being sitting MP you have no knowledge because always behind Yeddi. so better hang yourself or get wedlock with yeddi, then only you Improve>
BJP's policy, those who pass deregatory remarks and spread communilism, they will get ministerial berth. During next reshuffle Shobakka will become a Minister of Communalism. Shobakka, don't be too smart, otherwise you will loose your looted Coffee Estate in Madikeri.
what about PDP Shobha kandodi arent they anti-nationals now ?
Yabba Khandody opened the mouth. Created only for desh drohi rss activity and communal clash.
jaa bahen shadi kar le... you will have better life than this...
Madam,
If we agree by your words, then what is your government in center is doing. Ban them. You want to play politics by keeping them active and polarise hindu votes. One think you forgot that people of coastal karnataka are highly educated. Yor can see the latest PUC results. So dont fool. It may backfire on you. Jai Hind
This woman always spits the venom on other community...
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