ED files money laundering case against Tablighi Jamaat leader

The EnforcementDirectorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case to investigate the fundingof Tablighi Jamaat Markaz at Nizamuddin. According to reports, the ED will investigatethe funding of Tablighi Jamaat Markaz at Nizamuddin both from within India andabroad.

The investigation will be carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and on the basis of a Delhi Police Crime Branch FIR registered against Maulana Muhammad Saad, the chief of Tablighi Jamaat and five others. Saad has been named accused by the ED as well under the PMLA.

Accordingto sources, the ED will probe whether donations received by Markaz were part ofmoney laundering and if it was moved through hawala or non-banking channels.The ED is likely to examine all the financial transactions, travel details,usage of money in different events and identify the handlers of money. The EDwill also summon Maulana Muhammad Saad regarding the investigation.

Itmay be mentioned here that as many as 35% COVID-19 positive cases in India tillApril 7 are reported due to Tablighi Jamaat members and around 26,000 contactsof Tablighis were in quarantine across the country. At least 9,000 peopleparticipated in the religious congregation in Nizamuddin. Later, many of theattendees travelled to various parts of the country.