62 cheated hajj pilgrims fly to Saudi

File photoStar Online Report

Cheated by a travel agent, 62 pilgrims are finally flying to Saudi Arabia on Sunday night with contribution from their group leader and own pockets to perform Hajj in Makkah.

Each of these Hajis paid Tk 2.20 lakh to a travel agency Al-Mobarakat, but the agency men did not buy tickets for them and are now absconding, Hajj officer Bazlul Haque Biswas told The Daily Star on Sunday. The pilgrims suffered for a couple of days for such a cheating.

“We finally intervened, and now the group leader of the Hajis made some contribution, while the Hajis the rest. Tickets have been bought and they will fly for Saudi Arabia by a Saudi Arabian Airlines tonight,” he said.

There is no problem at present, Biswas said, adding that the Rapid Action Battalion and police have been looking for the agency men and stern actions will be taken against it for the crime.

The license of the travel agency will be cancelled, security money confiscated. Besides, criminal charges will be brought against it, the Hajj officer said.

According to the government, this year around 59,000 pilgrims are performing Hajj, the biggest Muslim gathering in Makkah. Most Hajis have already arrived in the holy land since October 21.

Share on