Fact Check: Did Nizamuddin Markaz Chief Maulana Saad Donate Rs 1 Crore To PM-CARES Fund?

From Bollywood celebrities to top industrialists, almost anyone and everyone is contributing to the PM-CARES Fund to fight the coronavirus crisis in India. As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 disease with extremely high chances of extension of the corona lockdown, social media is flooded with an unlikely candidate donating to the PM-CARES Fund. Any guesses? While the Delhi Police is still trying to establish contact with Maulana Saad, there are reports of him making Rs 1 crore donation to the PM-CARES Fund. (Coronavirus Outbreak Live Updates)

Several social media users have shared a screenshot of a 'news' clipping that with a headline screaming Nizamuddin Markaz chief's huge donation. The viral post shared several times showed what seemed to be a front page of a tabloid with 'News Letter' written on the masthead. The headline read: 'On March 28, Molana Saad donated an amount of 1 crore to the PM MODI Relief Fund (sic).' "Molana Saad donated 1 crore to PM relief fund on 28 march. But this information kept secret by Molana Saad. He said that any kind of showing in Islam is not allowed. Some people never understand him.....," said a Twitter user while sharing the same 'news' clipping.

Molana Saad donated 1 crore to PM relief fund on 28 march. But this information kept secret by Molana Saad.

He said that any kind of showing in Islam is not allowed.

Some people never understand him..... pic.twitter.com/YGcYgzQ4El

— Official Sam (@Official_Sam30) April 6, 2020

So what's the truth? News Nation can independently verify that the claim is bogus and its a classic case of fake news. As for the 'News Letter', fact-checking website Alt News has reported that it was originally a photo of the front page of a Northern Ireland newspaper. The front page was morphed to present the distorted, fake news.

On April 8, the elusive chief of Nizamuddin Markaz of Tablighi Jamaat was traced by the investigators to Delhi's Zakir Nagar area. The cops detected Saad's presence in Zakir Nagar via electronic surveillance. The Markaz chief reportedly conveyed via his lawyer that he was under self-quarantine and was unable to join the probe. The investigators told Maulana to hand over all the electronic devices to the cops. The Markaz chief came under radar after over 2,000 Jamaatis were taken out in a 16-hour-long mission from the six-storyed headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat. Due to the congregation and subsequent travel by the Jamaatis, Nizamuddin emerged as a coronavirus hotspot in the National Capital. Around 30 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in India are linked to Tablighi Jamaat. While administrative lapses are being questioned, the role of Maulana is also being probed.