The Patna High Court has granted relief to 18 foreign nationals of Tablighi Jamaat and quashed the criminal case against them. The judge also directed the authorities to send them to their respective countries. A single bench of Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad passed this order while hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Mohammad Enamul Hussain, Mohammad Riyazuddin and others.
In the 68-page judgment, the Court explained in detail the foreign Civil Law and said that no criminal case is made against these foreign nationals. On behalf of the Petitioners, Senior Advocate P.K. Shahi and Advocate Alok Ranjan appeared, while Additional Solicitor General of Government of India Dr. K.N. Singh appeared for the Union of India. Additional Advocate General Anjani Kumar made the Bihar government’s stand.
The police had registered a case under Sections 14 and 14 (c) of the Foreign Citizenship Act against them. The police had filed a charge sheet after which the lower court, taking cognizance, ordered the trial.
The High Court quashed the lower court’s order and abolished criminal proceedings. The Court said that if they are not desired in any other case, arrangements should be made to send them to their country immediately.