The Saket Court Complex, New Delhi has directed to release original passports of 31 Foreign Tablighi Jamaat members acquitted on December 20, 2020 later, for whom the Supreme Court on January 13 directed the government to facilitate their return.

The case has been filed by 31 Foreign Tablighi Jamaat Members who were acquitted by this Court facing trial under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, Section 270 and 271 under the Indian Penal Code, Epidemic Act, Disaster Management Act and several other provisions for allegedly violating guidelines in relation to the COVID-19 while attending the Tablighi Jamaat event at Nizamuddin Markaz, Delhi.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Arun Kumar Garg noted, “…considering the fact that the accused has/have already been acquitted by this court vide judgment dated 15.12.2020, non filing of any appeal/revision by the State against judgment dated 15.12.2020 of this court till date…”

The court has directed for the release of the original passports to the respective applicants or their counsels in exchange of proper acknowledgment as per rules after proper verification of their identity.

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