Haryana police arrest Imam for organising mass gathering to offer Namaz

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown in place, hundreds of people gathered in Haryana's Faridabad district for Friday prayers. The police have arrested the Imam of a mosque in this regard and registered an FIR against him under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Faridabad: The Haryana police arrested the Imam of a mosque at Ballabhgarh area in the Faridabad district for allegedly organising a mass prayer on Friday, which was in violation of the COVID protocols restraining a congregation of people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to reports, the incident was reported from the Chawla colony where hundreds of people gathered to offer the namaz on Friday -- the last Jumma of the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking to ETV Bharat on the issue, Sub-Inspector Pannalal said that he along with other police officials rushed to the mosque upon listening to the sound of the mic.

"As I along with the team went near the 3-storey mosque where we found that a large number of people have gathered for Friday prayers violating lockdown guidelines. We have arrested the Imam and registered an FIR against him for violating the lockdown protocols," he added.

Haryana reported the biggest single-day jump in COVID-related fatalities with 181 deaths taking the cumulative toll to 4,960 and another big surge of 15,416 fresh infections pushing the tally to 5,58,975 on Friday.