Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has directed the Haj Committee of India to address representations regarding excess airfare charged from Haj pilgrims of Assam, ensuring compliance with Section 42 of the Haj Committee Act, 2002, within 90 days.
This directive was issued by a single bench of the High Court while hearing a writ petition filed by 91 Haj pilgrims from Assam.
The pilgrims alleged that they were charged airfare for a chartered flight from Guwahati to Jeddah, even though they were later made to board a normal passenger flight instead of the promised international chartered flight.
According to the petitioners, they undertook the pilgrimage in 2023, during which a tender was floated for chartered flights. After the tender was finalized, selected Haj pilgrims from Assam were asked to deposit ₹3,82,297, which included ₹1,54,694 as airfare for the chartered flight.
However, at the time of departure from Guwahati, the pilgrims were informed that they would be traveling via a regular passenger flight. Despite the cancellation of the chartered flight, the excess amount paid for the chartered service was not refunded.
The petitioners subsequently submitted several representations to the Chief Executive Officer of the Haj Committee of India, seeking a refund of the excess amount. To date, the committee has neither addressed these representations nor refunded the money.
The counsel representing the petitioners argued that the Haj Committee’s inaction warranted judicial intervention. During the proceedings, both parties’ counsels agreed that the matter could be resolved by directing the Haj Committee to act per Section 42 of the Haj Committee Act, 2002.
“The learned counsel for the parties is in unanimity that the present writ petition can be disposed of, with the direction to the Haj Committee of India to dispose of the representations in accordance with Section 42 of the Haj Committee Act, 2002,” the Court observed.
The High Court, in its judgment, directed the Haj Committee to provide a response to the petitioners’ representations through a formal speaking order after hearing the concerned parties. The Court also emphasized strict adherence to the statutory provisions laid out in Section 42 of the Act.
“All exercises for compliance of this order shall be completed within a period of 90 days from the day of passing of this order. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of,” the Court ordered.
The decision offers a glimmer of hope for the affected pilgrims, many of whom have been awaiting a resolution to the financial grievances stemming from their 2023 Haj pilgrimage. The Haj Committee is now tasked with ensuring transparency and fairness in addressing the issue.
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