New Delhi: The Nizamuddin Markaz, the national headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat has been allowed to remain open till October 14 for prayers.
The Delhi High Court on Monday extended the interim order permitting the reopening of five floors of the mosque premises in the Markaz till October 14 for offering prayers.
Justice Jasmeet Singh said the original interim order issued on April will continue till the next date of hearing on October 14.
The Markaz was closed on March 3, 2020, following a spurt in Covid-positive cases on the premises, and the sudden imposition of the first national lockdown on the outbreak of the corona virus.
On March 16 this, the HC had allowed the opening of the mosque for people with the same terms and conditions in view of the Shab-e-Barat.
The same bench, while allowing the plea of the Delhi Waqf Board seeking to ease restrictions during Ramzan, asked them to ensure the strict follow up of Covid protocols and social distancing norms.
It also made it clear that the order covered permission only for prayers and not for lectures including "Tablighi activities". It further directed the management to monitor the crowd with CCTV cameras on each floor.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have asked Markaz's management to re-install the "missing CCTV cameras at the entrance and the exit gates as well as the staircase of each floor".
On March 16, while permitting the worshippers for Shab-e-Barat, the court had said: "Once they say that they will maintain Covid protocol, then it is fine. It should be left to the wisdom of the devotees."
However, as per the Delhi Disaster Management Authority guidelines, only less than a hundred people can be allowed on each floor.
(based on IANS feed)