FIR against 150 Tablighi event attendees for negligence

Mumbai, Apr 7 () Mumbai Police have registered anFIR against 150 people who attended the religious congregationof Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in New Delhi last month foralleged negligent act during the coronavirus outbreak, anofficial said on Tuesday.

The offence was registered on a complant lodged by theBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Azad MaidanPolice Station, he said.

The Tablighi Jamaat's congregation in Delhi hasemerged as one of the major COVID-19 hotspots in the country.

The Mumbai Police on Monday requested the TablighiJamaat members to approach the BMC and inform it about theirtravel details or face action.

"Its our request and your responsibility to reportyour travel details on 1916, the @mybmc helpline, if youattended Tablighi Markaz at Nizamuddin, New Delhi. Thosefailing to cooperate will face strict action under IPC, DM(Disaster Management) Act & Epidemic Act," the Mumbai Policetweeted.

Later, the BMC lodged a police complaint followingwhich a case was registered against 150 people under IndianPenal Code Sections 269 (whoever willfully or negligently doesany act which is likely to spread the infection of any diseasedangerous to life) and 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule)and other relevant provisions, the official said.

So far, more than 400 COVID-19 cases and about 15deaths in the country have been found to be linked to thereligious congregation held at the Nizamuddin headquarters ofthe Tablighi Jamaat last month.

At least 9,000 people participated in the religiouscongregation in Nizamuddin last month, after which many of theattendees travelled to various parts of the country. DCGK GK