Police lodge FIR against Meerut hospital for anti-Muslim advertisement

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, April 20

Meerut police have lodged a case against the head of a cancer hospital that had advertised in a newspaper saying that new Muslim patients and their caregivers would be allowed in the hospital only when they bring along their negative COVID-19 tests.

According to Meerut Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Sahni the case was registered at Incholi police station against Dr Amit Jain of Valentis Cancer Hospital under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 295 (injury or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class, 505 (statement conducing to public mischief).

The case pertains to the hospital placing an advertisement in a daily newspaper asking new Muslim patients and their caregivers to come for treatment after undergoing COVID 19 test and only if their results were negative.

The investigating officer at Incholi police station said that evidence was being collected and action would be taken only after the probe is complete.

Playing down the incident, the main suspect, Amit Jain, said that the advertisement was an appeal to all the people to follow the government guidelines so that everyone stays safe.

While speaking to a news channel, Jain said that the advertisement had nothing to do with religion. “We apologise as some words hurt peoples’ sentiments. The hospital never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” Jain said.