CBI starts preliminary enquiry into cash transactions and foreign donations of Tablighi Jamaat

Islamic missionary outfit Tablighi Jamaat is in further trouble with the CBI initiating a preliminary enquiry (PE) into "dubious cash transactions" and "non-disclosure" of foreign donations it received.

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The activities of Tablighi Jamaat came under scanner after it was linked to a large number of COVID-19 cases in the country. A number of Tablighi Jamaat members who returned from a religious congregation in Delhi in mid-March were accused of being the reason behind the further spread of the virus infection in several states.

The CBI has registered the preliminary enquiry on a complaint that the organisers of the Jamaat were indulging in "dubious cash transactions through illegal and unfair means". They are also accused of hiding receipt of foreign donations to the authorities mandated under the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act.

A preliminary enquiry is the first step to ascertain whether there exists prima facie material to proceed with a full-fledged investigation with the registration of an FIR.

CBI officials said the premier investigating agency has started collecting records of Tablighi Jamaat from various authorities, including the Delhi Police.

The investigators will also look into 47 chargesheets running into around 40,000 pages filed by Delhi Police's Crime Branch earlier this week against 900 foreign followers of the Tablighi Jamaat.

In April, the Enforcement Directorate had registered a money laundering case under under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad, trusts linked to Tablighi Jamaat and others.