Notices were issued by Hyderabad High Court on Thursday to the Centre, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited and Airports Authority of India seeking an explanation about collection of more user charges from Haj pilgrims flying from Hyderabad to Saudi Arabia.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice J. Uma Devi issued the notices after hearing a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by an advocate S.M. Saifullah.
The Hyderabad-based lawyer stated that the Hyderabad airport authorities were collecting ₹ 15,000 as user charges from Haj pilgrims. This was the highest amount for such service compared to all other airports in the country. The Bench sought explanation from the Union Government and other authorities on the matter.