Tablighi Jamaat Case: Can foreigners be let off after apology, SC asks Centre

On Monday, the Supreme Court sought the response of the Centre whether nine foreigners, who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at the Alami Markaz Banglewali Masjid in violation of government guidelines following the Covid outbreak, could be let off if they apologised for their action.

A bench, headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar, asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta to take instructions from the government after advocate C U Singh, appearing for the foreign nationals, contended that the Madras high court had passed an order letting off some of the other foreigners after they offered apologies.

The apex court thereafter posted the hearing for July 31. At the outset, Mehta told the bench that trial against 23 out of 31 foreigners, who filed petition in the SC, was wrapped up after they agreed to pay fine under the plea bargaining process but nine of them agreed to face proceedings.

Singh, however, said the passports of 23 foreigners have not been returned. The SG assured the apex court that the Centre would look into the issue.

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