Cleric arrested for unlawful assembly in Pune

According to the Bhosari police, Jabbar had gathered people for Friday prayers in violation of the prior notices served by administration and the police for effective implementation of lockdown to limit spread of Covid-19 outbreak

The Bhosari police have booked a cleric, incharge of Bilal Masjid in Kasarwadi. on charges of unlawful assembly for conduct of prayers at the mosque, officials said on Saturday.

Temporary barricades at the Wadgaon Sheri vegetable market during the lockdown, in Pune, India. (HT FILE PHOTO)

Yusuf Jabbar (36), cleric, was later arrested by the police.

According to the Bhosari police, Jabbar had gathered people for Friday prayers in violation of the prior notices served by administration and the police for effective implementation of lockdown to limit spread of Covid-19 outbreak.

The accused has been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) , 269 (negligent likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 290 (public nuisance) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other sections of the Epidemic Act.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Smita Patil said that despite being warned about the dangers of the spread of Covid-19 through social transmission, Jabbar went ahead and resorted to unlawful assembly and was found with twenty persons outside the mosque.

“Based on the information and evidence, we booked him under the relevant sections of the Epidemic Act and IPC and later arrested him,” said Inspector Shankar Autade, Bhosari police station incharge.

Currently, only the person who gives azan (call for prayers) and two cleaning staff are permitted inside the mosque as per the lockdown restrictions.

The Bhosari police have appealed to residents to refrain from offering congregation prayers citing that it is banned under the Epidemic Act. Investigation is on to find out the other attendees of the event, police said.