79 Bangladeshi Tablighi men released in India

A court in India on Monday allowed 79 Bangladesh nationals, who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi, to walk free.

They were released after they accepted mild charges under the plea bargaining agreement related to various violations, including visa norms, during coronavirus lockdown.

A plea bargain is an arrangement between the prosecutor and accused whereby the latter pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence, or an agreement to drop other charges.

Metropolitan Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh allowed 79 Bangladeshi nationals to walk free on payment of a fine of Rs 5,000 each, advocate Ashima Mandla, appearing for them, said.

However, three nationals from Bangladesh did not plead guilty to the charges against them and claimed trial before the court.

Dhaka/Shahed/AKA