By Allahs grace, we have enough space, Shaique told Newslaundry, adding that the madrasa was spread over 500 guz, or around 4,456 square feet.

In the context of the Tablighi Jamaat event, India TV praised the madrasas preparations to handle the coronavirus outbreak, showing how its students wore masks, and used sanitiser and soap.

Similarly, at Madrasa Islahul Mumineer, Jabir said the campus has three floors. Students have been given separate beds to keep distance.

Newslaundry asked Jabir and Shaique if they had any links to the Tablighi Jamaat or if they had attended its event.

Shaique denied having any connection to the Tablighi Jamaat. Jabir said, I used to go to Nizamuddin to buy toffees and handkerchiefs, but have no links with the Jamaat.

India Todays sting had Jabir saying that he had visited the markaz with his students, referring to the Tablighi Jamaats headquarters. Why did he say that? Jabir alleged: They probably edited my audio.

Did the story need a sting?

Sting operation as a way of breaking stories remains a contested idea, dividing news professionals about its efficacy and ethics. For those who support it, its a necessary evil in public interest, designed to expose those in power.

Every sting operation warrants crucial questions for the media outlets editor and reporter. One, is the story of such great public interest that it must be told through undercover reporting or it wont come out otherwise? Is the subject of the story so powerful that the only way to expose them is through a sting?

The India Today reporter who went undercover for the story gave Jabir and Shaique the same story. Jabir said, His name was Aamir. Dressed in a kurta like us, he came with someone I know on the pretext of helping out the kids during the lockdown.

India Todays investigation received backlash on Twitter, with many people pointing out that it was a blatant attempt to communalise a pandemic. Rahul Kanwal stuck to his guns.

Read more:
Anatomy of an investigation: How India Todays madrasa sting misled its viewers - Newslaundry