11:26 April 27
Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad tests COVID-19 negative, claims lawyer
New Delhi: Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, who is reportedly in home quarantine, has tested negative for COVID-19, his lawyer claimed.
The lawyer claimed that Maulana Saad's negative test report will now be handed over to the Delhi Police Crime Branch. He added that Saad would extend full cooperation to the crime branch in the investigation.
It is expected that the Crime Branch will ask Saad to appear for questioning, now that he has tested negative for COVID-19.
The head of the Jamaat's Nizamuddin Markaz was in the centre of controversy over holding the global congregation amid the coronavirus crisis and is being investigated in cases lodged against him under various sections, including by the Enforcement Directorate.
The Delhi Police crime branch, had on March 31, lodged an FIR against seven people, including the cleric, on a complaint by the Station House Officer of Nizamuddin police station for holding the congregation in alleged violation of the orders against large gatherings to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Later, the Indian Penal Code Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was added to the FIR.
The cleric is wanted by the Delhi Police and he responded twice to them. According to reports, he is currently under home quarantine.
Read:COVID-19 survivors should donate blood plasma: Maulana Saad