Hyderabad cops file charge sheet against 60 foreign Tablighi Jamaat men

HYDERABAD: Six police stations in city on Thursday filed charge sheets against more than 60 foreign members of the Tablighi Jamaat.
After the outbreak of novel coronavirus in India, the Hyderabad police lodged suo moto FIRs against TJ members of foreign origin, alleging that they came to India on a tourist visa, but violated the conditions of the valid tourist visa and participated in religious preaching in the state.
"We have filed a charge sheet before the court against the members of foreign Tablighi Jamaat for violations of Indian laws," said N Kalinga Rao, inspector, Banjara Hills police station.
The foreign TJ members, 16 of whom are lodged in the Hyderabad markaz in Mallepally and 46 in Masjid-E-Idare Millia at Old Malakpet, including women allegedly took part in a congregation at Delhi markaz at Nizamuddin.
Cases booked in 7 city police stations
They belong to Sudan, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Algeria, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan.
Cases were booked in Falaknuma, Ramgopalpet, Habeebnagar, Asifnagar, Chaderghat, Mirchowk and Banjara Hills police stations in Hyderabad city and they were charge-sheeted, while two cases registered at Ramagundam commssionerate have culminated into final reports (closure).
Two cases were registered in Karimnagar, and in Nalgonda district, which are still under investigation.
Aggrieved with the delay in filing of the charge sheet or final reports, as many as 72 foreign TJ members on July 30 filed a writ petitionH before the Telangana high court.
They told the court that despite lapse of statutory period, the police are not considering the representation made by them and seeking to initiate steps to constitute a special court or designated court for the speedy disposal of the cases.
As the matter reached high court, the Hyderabad police filed charge sheets under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant),270 (malignant act to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life),420 (cheating),109, 2,3 EDA, 14(b),14(c) Foreigners Act, 51(B) Disaster Management Act. The case will be heard on August 21.