Tablighi maulana at large, says he’s in ‘self-isolation’
May face money laundering probe
As the coronavirus cases traced to the Tablighi Jamaat gathering at Delhi’s Nizamuddin are skyrocketing nationwide, a manhunt is on for its 56year-old leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, last seen on March 28. An audio clip, meanwhile, surfaced online Thursday in which the maulana claimed he was in “selfisolation” as advised by doctors. Police sources said the maulana may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
In another audio clip, put out on the Markaz YouTube channel, Maulana Saad says “a mosque is the best place to die”.
Over 400 Covid-19 cases are estimated to be linked to the gathering last month at Markaz Nizamuddin, a 100-yearold building in the crowded south Delhi locality. Officials believe nearly 9,000 of its members, both Indian and foreign, are at risk. The police contacted 14 hospitals to track down the missing cleric. The crime branch sent notices to all seven people (named in the FIR) to give a written statement on why the rules were not followed by them. The notices were sent to their residences, police sources said. The maulana’s family said he would respond through a lawyer.
In another development, the Enforcement Directorate is thinking of initiating a money-laundering probe against Maulana Saad and Tablighi
Jamaat to trace their source of funds, including foreign funds, if any. Sources said ED sleuths are in touch with the police on this matter.
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Delhi saw the highest single day increase of 141 Covid-19 positive cases of on Thursday with two more persons evacuated from Nizamuddin markaz succumbing to the deadly virus. The total number of coronavirus cases has gone up to 293 with four persons losing their lives to the dreaded disease. As many as 182 positive cases are from markaz. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has warned that the total number of cases may see a sharp increase in the next few days. But he maintained that Delhi was still not in the community transfer stage.
In wake of the financial loss due to 21-day lockdown, the Delhi government has also come out with a scheme to help those who run auto, e-rickshaws, RTVs, and taxis. Mr Kejriwal said that the government will transfer `5,000 to their accounts as they have lost employment due to the lockdown.
Delhi had 152 confirmed cases till Thursday. On Wednesday, over 2,300 people were evacuated from the markaz in Nizamuddin of which over 500 have been taken to the hospital for testing while the rest have been sent to quarantine centres.
Mr Kejriwal said: “There are two things that I worry
Data shows that community transfer has not happened in Delhi. Over 500 people are being tested in hospitals and the number of cases may shoot up in the next few days.
— Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM
about. First is of community transfer and second is the number of deaths that have taken place. Data shows that community transfer has not happened in Delhi. The people who have been taken out of markaz are serious. Over 500 people who have been put in hospitals are being tested and the number of cases may shoot up in the next few days.”
While more and more coronavirus cases in the country are being traced to the religious gathering of Tablighi Jamaat, a hunt is on for its leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, last seen on March 28. The police reportedly contacted 14 hospitals to try and track down the missing cleric.
In two fresh audio clips, he is, however, heard claiming that he is self-isolating in Delhi under a doctor’s advice. In the first audio message, put out on the markaz YouTube channel, Maulana Saad was heard saying “a mosque is the best place to die” and insists that coronavirus can do no harm to his followers.
But in the second audio clip, he does a turnaround and appeals to Tablighi members to follow the guidelines of the government and avoid large gatherings. “Undoubtedly, what is happening in the world is the result of humanity’s crimes. We should remain at home, that is the only way to calm the wrath of God. One should follow the advice of doctors and cooperate with the administration. Wherever our members are, they should follow the administration’s orders.”
The special branch of Delhi police on Thursday said that it has identified and quarantined 275 foreign nationals, who have been staying in various mosques after attending a Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the Nizamuddin area.
According to the police, among the 275 foreign nationals, 172 are from Indonesia, 36 from Kyrgyzstan, 21 from Bangladesh, 12 from Malaysia, seven from Algeria, two each from Afghanistan and the US, and one each from France, Tunisia, Belgium, and Italy.
“Eighty-four of them have been staying in the Northeast district while 109 in the Central district,” said the police.
The Nizamuddin Markaz, the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters in South Delhi, has emerged as an epicentre for the spread of coronavirus in different parts of the country after thousands of people took part in a congregation from March 115.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi police special branch wrote to the government on taking immediate action with regard to people, including foreign nationals, associated with Tablighi Jamaat and presently staying at various mosques and places here in the national capital.
“A team of district administration, police, and health department are visiting mosques and evacuating foreign nationals and shifting them to quarantine. They were part of the Jamaat held at Markaz. To decongest the building, they were shifted to various mosques in the national capital,” the police had said.
Two absconding persons, who attended the Jamaat in Nizamuddin last month, were held in Greater Noida and quarantined on Thursday, police said. Two others, who had provided shelter to the Jamaat attendees, were also arrested and quarantined, they added.
The two Jamaat attendees had absconded from Rajasthan’s Alwar, where eight others who had participated in the religious congregation have been arrested.