Plea Moved in Delhi HC Seeking Immediate Release of Persons Related to Tablighi Jamaat From Quarantine Centres [Read Petition]

Moved by Sabiha Quadri, the petition claims that continuous quarantine without any valid reason is not just violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution, but is also an offense under sections 341 and 342 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Petitioner has highlighted that a total of 3288 persons associated with Tablighi Jamaat, who are in different quarantine centres, have not been released despite the fact that they are in no manner infected with the disease.

It is also argued that some of these persons have also tested negative in three consecutive tests.

This continued period of quarantine of 37 days, the Petitioner argues, is in sheer violation of the guidelines issued by the government which prescribe only 14 days of quarantine.

'The Delhi Government and the Sub Divisional Magistrate have failed to comply with their own guidelines', the petition states.

While calling the government's behaviour 'inhumane', the Petitioner argues that the government's approach in the present matter is arbitrary, malafide and malicious and cannot sustain in a society which is governed by rule of law and principles of natural justice.

The Petitioner further alleges that the act of not releasing the members of Tablighi Jamaat shows that the Delhi Government itself is discriminating on the grounds of religion which is prohibited under Article 15 of the Constitution