The Delhi Police on Tuesday filed charge sheets against 82 foreigners for attending a religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz here in violation of visa conditions .
The Crime Branch of the Delhi police also seized passports and important documents of around 700 Jamaat members while trying to ascertain on what basis they have got the visa and who helped them in getting such a visa.
Besides, violating the provisions of visa, these foreign nationals also led to a situation where a highly infectious disease spread and threatened the lives of the inmates and the general public at large, they said. The police also said that more than 900 foreign nationals who are accused in the case belong to 34 different countries and charge sheets are being prepared country-wise, under sections of the Foreigners Act, Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act and section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 271 (Disobedience to quarantine rule) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Tablighi jamaat event in Delhi was held in the month of march and at that time was known as the super spreader as over 30 percent of the total coronavirus cases in the country originated from there. Thousands of Tablighis who attended the event than spread across India on return to their homes. The Markaz event was not only attended by Indian Muslims but also foreign nationals.
The Enforcement Directorate had also booked the Tabighi chief Maulana Saad and nine others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on predicate offense that was registered by Delhi police. The bank accounts related to the orthodox sect and relatives of Maulana saad are under scanned of ED.
-India Legal Bureau