Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Aug 26: A travel agency has been accused of cheating nearly a hundred Haj aspirants to the tune of several lacs of rupees with fake promises of providing visas.
M P Moideenabba, a resident of Udupi, has lodged a complaint with the city police commissioner in this regard.
In his complaint filed on Friday August 25, Moideenabba narrated his ordeal. He said that he had paid Rs 70,000 as advance to an agency named Shahada travels operating from Mission Street in the city, for Haj pilgrimage. He also submitted his passport to get the visa stamped on it.
Moideenabba said that he paid Rs 35,000 on June 21 and another Rs 35,000 on August 16.
Though the Haj pilgrimage started, Moideenabba was not given his passport with visa. The agency repeatedly told him the delay was caused due to unavoidable circumstances and asked him to wait. On August 21, he was told that he would not get a chance to go on pilgrimage as the visa was not issued to him.
When Moideenabba made enquiries, he found out that nearly 95 Haj aspirants were cheated by the agency this year.
He has accused that some Haj committee members and political leaders are 'protecting' the agency. Moideenabba has further accused agency of subjecting him and other Haj aspirants to mental harassment.