Kanpur: 26 offer namaz at mosque, held for violation of norms

KANPUR: Around 26 people were arrested by police on Monday for violating coronavirus lockdown restrictions after they assembled to offer prayers at a local mosque under Ajitmal Kotwali police station of Auraiya district on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
Later, they all were released on personal bond from police station itself. A case was booked against the violators, who had assembled at the mosque despite appeals made by clerics and administration to follow the norms, under relevant sections of IPC and other acts. To recall, Muslim clerics and authorities had advised people to offer namaz within the confines of their homes, however, the locals of Aryanagar defied the lockdown restrictions and visited a mosque to offer prayers.
Circle officer Ajitmal Kamlesh Narain Pandey told TOI, "At least 26 people, including the Imam, had assembled inside the Jama Masjid in Arya Nagar area under the Ajitmal Kotwali police station limits to offer namaz on the occasion of Eid-Ul- Fitr on Monday at around 7:15am.
"A police patrol party got an alert about a gathering at the mosque amid section 144 (banning assembly of five persons or above) of Criminal Procedure Code imposed in the area.
They were arrested and booked under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease) and Epidemic Act. Later, they were released on personal bond," said the official further.