Delhi HC junks FIRs against 70 Indians for housing Tablighi Jamaat attendees during COVID-19
New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed 16 cases against 70 Indian nationals for housing foreign attendees of Tablighi Jamaat congregation in March 2020 allegedly in violation of COVID-19 norms.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna said, "Chargesheets quashed."
The court passed the judgment on 16 petitions relating to 70 Indians, who were represented by advocate Ashima Mandla, seeking quashing of FIRs registered against them.
A detailed verdict is awaited.
Delhi Police previously opposed the pleas for quashing of the FIRs registered for hosting foreign attendees of the congregation of March 2020 and said the accused local residents sheltered the attendees who had come to Nizamuddin Markaz in violation of the prohibitory orders on movement to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The foreign nationals, named in some of the FIRs, either pleaded guilty to go back to their country or were discharged or acquitted previously.
The petitioners contended there was no documentation on record in either the FIR or chargesheet to indicate that they had been infected by COVID-19 and, therefore, they could not have been accused of spreading the disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
The pleas alleged that the instant case was a classic example in which unsubstantiated allegations were "embellished and exaggerated".
Their counsel argued that while the prohibitory orders issued by the Delhi Government specifically prohibited religious congregations and religious gatherings, the attendees who were found inside mosques or in houses were merely provided shelter.
The petitioners further claimed the FIR showed the only allegation against them was their alleged presence inside the mosque along with foreign nationals.
However, there was no whisper of either any religious or social gathering being held inside the mosque or of the petitioners being COVID-19 positive, they argued.
The petitioners were booked under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection) and other offences of IPC.
The police alleged numerous inspections were carried out in Nizamuddin Markaz from March 26-31, 2020 in connection with another FIR and several foreign nationals were found to be residing there.
However, in early April 2020, it received information that several foreign nationals were residing in Chandni Mahal area and after investigation, “it became clear that the members of the Jamaat had moved from the Markaz in Nizamuddin” which was in derogation of the prohibitory orders by the local authorities, the police had claimed.
Police said on March 24, 2020, the Centre also imposed a nationwide lockdown.
By accepting and allowing them to reside in the local mosque without any social distancing, it alleged, the accused also breached the Delhi government order closing religious places.
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Passenger slapped during panic attack on IndiGo flight, sparks outrage on social media
Mumbai/Kolkata/Silchar: A shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing a man being slapped mid-flight while reportedly suffering a panic attack. The victim, identified as Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar from Assam, has since gone missing, and his family is seeking urgent answers.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows Hossain in visible distress, attempting to leave his seat and reportedly requesting to deboard. As flight attendants tried to calm him down, another passenger suddenly approached and slapped him. The incident triggered immediate protest from fellow travellers.
A young man suffers a panic attack, his co passenger slaps him. Indigo airlines says “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) August 1, 2025
This is a criminal case and the man needs to be on a No Fly List @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/dY1gQC6ze0
Hossain, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was en route to his hometown Katigorah in Cachar district via a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar. However, he never boarded the Silchar flight, and his mobile phone remains unreachable. His family, who had gathered at the Silchar airport, are now in distress. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, said, “We have no idea where he is. We’ve contacted the police and airport authorities but haven’t received any concrete information.” His father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said tearfully, “He was our only hope. Now we don’t even know if he’s safe.” In a statement issued on August 1, IndiGo Airlines said: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established procedures. The individual identified as unruly was handed over to the security authorities upon arrival. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per protocol.”
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Our crew acted in accordance with…
However, the airline's statement has been criticised for failing to clarify what happened to Hossain after the incident, whether he received medical help, was detained, or was allowed to continue his journey.
Weak kneed response from @IndiGo6E . Has the man who got physical with a fellow passenger been put on a no-fly list? Has Indigo followed up on its complaint at point of disembarkation? If the passenger was handed over to the @CISFAirport were charges pressed? pic.twitter.com/qXMnfiBbFE
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) August 1, 2025
The video triggered widespread anger on social media, with many users interpreting the slap as a possible hate-driven act. However, aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra of The Hindu offered a clarification on X, stating: “The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight was handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident occurred after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to deboard. Both belong to the same religious community.”
The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to de board.
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 1, 2025
Both belong to the same religious community.
Incident on… https://t.co/f0QPXG5hxG
Despite this clarification, concerns remain about the airline's handling of a visibly distressed passenger, particularly in the context of mental health. Unverified posts circulating on social media claim that Hossain was later found, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities or the airline.
Alhamdulillah! Hussain Ahmed Mazumder, who was assaulted on an IndiGo flight while returning from Mumbai to Silchar and went missing, has now been found safe in Kolkata.
— Munir (@tapadar_1314) August 1, 2025
He is stable and in contact with his family. pic.twitter.com/MEGSGzHTk7
