The government has annulled the licenses of two Hajj agencies and filed criminal cases against them for fraudulence and embezzlement.
Outgoing Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruq Khan disclosed the information at a press conference on Thursday.
Religious Affairs Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal said 162 pilgrims failed to perform their Hajj this year because of the negligence and fraudulence of seven particular agencies.
“We have found them to be guilty after an internal investigation,” he said.
The licenses of Saudi Hajj Air Services and Rafique Travels were cancelled and they were sued under criminal offence, he said. “Their Tk6m deposit money has been confiscated.”
Saudi Hajj Air Services was fined Tk5m and Rafique Travels Tk1.5m, he said. “The owners of those agencies will be arrested soon.”
Five other agencies were found guilty for failing to cater to the rest of the pilgrims, he added. “They will be punished after further investigation ends.”
Faruq Khan said a total of 87,854 pilgrims were sent to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj this year. Of them, 85,074 have already returned. Those staying back are for personal reasons and will be back shortly.
“Bangladesh Biman carried 43,000, out of 87,854, pilgrims and made a profit of TK 650m,” he said. Saudia, the national airline of the West Asian country, catered to the rest of the pilgrims.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Khurshed Alam Chowdhury were also present at the press conference.