No Refunds, No Answers: Hajj 2025 Private Applicants Selected for Hajj 2026 Face Financial Block as Operators Evade Responsibility

Pune, 17th August 2025: The Forum for Protection of Private Hajj Applicants has issued a strong warning to the Muslim community against booking pilgrimage packages through private Hajj operators, calling the private route “riddled with loopholes, dishonesty, and zero accountability.”

The forum cited the troubling example of Hajj 2025, where more than 2,000 private applicants are still waiting for refunds, months after being denied travel – with no written commitment from operators and no transparency on funds.

“These private operators are running a well-oiled racket, taking advantage of people’s religious sentiments and then vanishing with their hard-earned money,” said Saleem Mulla, Coordinator of the Forum. “They claim to have paid the Saudi government but show no proof. There is no agreement signed, no memorandum, and most of the money collected is in black, untraceable cash. This is a clear case of fraud and deserves an urgent investigation by police, ED, Income Tax, and central agencies. These operators must not only be held accountable but also prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he demanded.

The Forum’s appeal comes at a critical time as the Hajj Committee of India has completed the digital selection (lucky draw) process, including for applicants from Maharashtra, with August 20 set as the deadline to make the first payment. Many private applicants, selected under the government quota, are now struggling to pay the first installment, as their money remains stuck with private operators.

“We are under tremendous pressure. We paid private operators in full last year, and now we have been selected by the Hajj Committee, but we don’t have the money to pay the first installment. Where do we go now?” said Mehrunisaa Shaikh, a victim of a Pune-based private operator.

“These people are nothing but thieves in the garb of religious service providers. We appeal to the community – do not fall into their trap. They are dishonest and only in it for profit.”

Jaymala Dhankikar, a prominent social activist, also called for a crackdown. “We have demanded a thorough probe by ED, Income Tax Department, and other central agencies into the murky business practices of these private Hajj operators. This is a multi-crore scam affecting emotionally vulnerable applicants. It’s criminal, and justice must be served.”

Another victim Abdul Rauf Shaikh, said, “We have been completely betrayed — not by strangers, but by our own community members posing as Hajj service providers. I paid ₹18 lakh, part of it in cash as they demanded, and all I got was a flimsy receipt with no details. Now they avoid calls or lie, saying they’re in Mecca to dodge accountability. This is nothing short of organized fraud. These so-called private Hajj operators are looting people in the name of religion — they must be exposed and punished.”

The Forum has vowed to approach legal authorities, file collective FIRs, and ensure no further exploitation of Hajj pilgrims. They are urging future applicants to choose only the government-approved Hajj route, which offers transparency, documentation, and refund policies.

As pressure mounts, questions are being raised over the lack of regulatory oversight over private operators, especially those in Pune, who have allegedly pocketed crores in the name of Hajj.

“This racket masquerading as ‘private Hajj’ flies in the face of Islam’s foundational principle of equality—yet private operators skim obscene profits, exploit our community, dodge real accountability, and even stash wealth abroad in Dubai and Jeddah. Meanwhile, our sacred Nafil Qurbani is being further robbed through corruption. If they’re earning from the faith of the people, where is their tangible contribution to uplifting that same community? The government must reclaim the entire quota—this rapacious fleecing has to end. Though private Hajj operators claim to serve religious and charitable purposes—and enjoy certain concessions under government policy—they eagerly began paying GST once it was imposed. Strikingly, even though their services occur beyond India’s jurisdiction in Saudi Arabia, they didn’t resist the tax. That alone exposes the reality: they’re raking in massive profits. The so‑called GST they pay isn’t shouldered by them—it’s extracted directly from the unsuspecting, ordinary pilgrims. This isn’t charity—it’s exploitation and loot of Hajis,” said citizen forum activist Aslam Shaikh.

Members of the Pune Muslim community, deeply disturbed by the widespread fraud and financial exploitation linked to private Hajj operators, have formally petitioned the Union Home Ministry, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, CBI, and other central agencies, demanding an immediate and thorough investigation.

The community has urged authorities to uncover what they describe as the “dark and shady underworld” of private Hajj operations, alleging rampant black money transactions, lack of accountability, and systematic deceit. The petition calls for a multi-agency probe, citing that many operators have collected crores without delivering services, and continue to evade responsibility by exploiting legal loopholes and religious sentiments. The community insists that only strong legal action and regulatory reform can prevent further exploitation of innocent pilgrims.