Thousands gather for cleric’s funeral in Badaun
Police begin probe into the event after filing FIR
Uttar Pradesh Police have filed a first information report after thousands of people attended the funeral of a Muslim cleric in the old city area of Badaun district on Sunday in violation of Covid norms. Prominent Badaun cleric Abdul Hamid Mohammad Salimul Qadri died on Sunday morning after prolonged illness. Local authorities said Qadri’s followers from different parts of Badaun and nearby districts reached Badaun city to pay their last respects. The funeral possession was joined by thousands of Qadri’s followers..
LUCKNOW : Amidst the raging pandemic, thousands of people gathered to attend the funeral of a Muslim cleric in Old City area of Badaun district on Sunday, throwing Covid norms to the winds. The police lodged an FIR regarding the matter on Monday, after a video of the crowded event went viral on social media.
Badaun cleric, Abdul Hamid Mohammad Salimul Qadri, had passed away on Sunday morning following a prolonged illness. Before the funeral, his body was kept at a mosque for public viewing.
As per local authorities, Qadri’s followers from different parts of Badaun and nearby districts reached Badaun city to get the last glimpse of the cleric.
The funeral possession was planned later in the day, which passed through the city and was joined by thousands of Qadri’s followers.
The followers violated corona curfew restrictions imposed in the district and flouted Covid norms to participate in the funeral. The state government had restricted the number of people attending funerals to 20 and announced fine of Rs 1,000 for not wearing mask.
In the videos, a sea of people could be seen moving along the funeral possession. Most of them were seen without masks and standing in close proximity to each other.
“We have lodged an FIR against unidentified people under sections of the Epidemic Act and started investigations.
A team is watching the video of the funeral to identify people who attended it.
Further action will be taken against them following identification,” said Sankalp Sharma, SP (Badaun).