Firozabad: 27 men booked for offering namaz in group during Covid-19 test

AGRA: A group of men brought for sample collection in Firozabad district hospital, after they came in contact with attendees of Tablighi Jamaat ’s Delhi event, were found allegedly spitting on the hospital walls and offering prayers in a group outside its isolation ward.After the incident, local police booked 27 men under IPC’s sections 188 ( disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule) and section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act.The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, was caught on a mobile camera, after which chief medical superintendent Dr Alok Kumar informed the local police. Later, an FIR was lodged against the men at Firozabad North police station.According to the FIR, as soon the police reached hospital, the accused men immediately called off the prayer. However, when police asked the men to maintain distance from each other, the accused started spitting everywhere with an intention to spread the infection.Station house officer Neeraj Mishra said, “All the accused are local residents. The men openly flouted the administration’s appeal. They were found offering prayer right outside the isolation ward while some were found spitting on the hospital wall.”