‘Tablighi Jamaat criminally negligent; heinous charges could be added in probe’

New Delhi: The Delhi Police have charged the chief of Delhi-based Tablighi Jamaat Markaz, Maulana Saad, under stringent sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which is equivalent to second degree murder.

Legal experts say if during the investigation more serious offences are made out then police are free to add further stringent sections to the case.

According to police sources, Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been added in the FIR lodged against Saad and others in the matter. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi speaking to IANS said: “This is a clear case of Section 302 instead of 304. The Tablighi Jamaat people were grossly criminally negligent in conducting their affairs in March, which is responsible for a large portion of positive people all over the country. They knew their action would lead to spread of infection, which is likely to cause numerous deaths.” Rohtagi insisted immediate action must be taken in the matter. The cleric was last seen on March 28. Later, through an audio message he claimed to be in self-isolation.

According to Section 304, whoever commits culpable homicide not amounting to murder shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years. Earlier, Maulana Saad was booked under sections which were bailable but after the addition of Section 304, it will be tough to secure bail. Senior advocate Aishwarya Bhati said culpable homicide can be understood as second degree murder, somebody does not have intention to cause death but they have done an act which is so dangerous it is likely to cause death. (IANS)

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