No CBI probe into Markaz incident needed, Centre tells SC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

No CBI probe was needed into the Nizamuddin Markaz incident as the Delhi Police was already conducting an investigation in a time-bound manner, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the investigation by the Delhi Police was on track and the final report would be filed in a time-bound manner.

However, the MHA affidavit accused Maulana Saad and the Markaz management of not informing the health department or the government about the Tablighi Jamaat congregation held at its headquarters in the Nizamuddin area Delhi in March.

“They deliberately, wilfully, negligently and malignantly disobeyed the lawful directions promulgated in this regard,” the MHA said accusing Markaz leadership of ignoring the notices sent to them.

After the Markaz gathering, India witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and nearly 40,000 people linked to the Markaz were quarantined.

The MHA affidavit has been filed in response to a PIL seeking a CBI probe into the Tablighi event. The petitioner also demanded a CBI probe into the Anand Vihar fiasco where a large number of migrant workers had gathered in violation of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Bench posted the matter for hearing after two weeks as the petitioner wanted to file a response to the NHA affidavit.