The Delhi High Court on Thursday acquitted 70 Indian Muslims who had been facing charges since 2020 for allegedly sheltering foreign members of the Tablighi Jamaat during the COVID-19 lockdown and being linked to the spread of the virus.
The court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide any solid evidence to support the accusations. This verdict ends a long legal struggle for the accused, who were blamed during the early days of the pandemic after a Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area sparked controversy and criticism across the country.
In March 2020, when a nationwide lockdown was imposed, these 70 people were accused of giving shelter to foreign Tablighi Jamaat members in different parts of India. Authorities filed cases against them under various laws related to violating COVID restrictions and putting public health at risk.
However, the High Court found that the claims were mostly based on assumptions, without supporting evidence. The court said the accused had simply shown humanitarian concern during a difficult time and should not be treated as criminals. Their actions, the court noted, were neither illegal nor carried out with any bad intent.
Civil rights groups and legal experts have praised the verdict. Many believe the case was an example of how a particular community was unfairly targeted during the pandemic. “The acquittal is a vindication of truth and justice,” said one of the defense lawyers. “The charges were politically motivated and rooted in prejudice.”
This judgment comes after earlier rulings by other courts that had thrown out similar cases against foreign Tablighi Jamaat participants—many of whom were later deported following long detentions.
For the acquitted individuals, the court’s decision is not just a legal win—it’s a moment of relief after being wrongfully accused and publicly blamed. For many others, the verdict stands as a reminder of the need to protect secular values and resist the scapegoating of communities during times of national crisis.
