200 Haj pilgrims move HC to change embarkation point to Mumbai

Nagpur: More than 200 pilgrims from different places in Vidarbha have moved the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court seeking change of embarkation point to Mumbai from Nagpur over unequal charges levied by government for Haj 2023.
A batch of 10 petitions challenged the circular issued earlier this month by ministry of minority affairs as “discriminatory, illegal, arbitrary and in violation Article 14”. As per the ministry circular, pilgrims leaving for Haj 2023 from Nagpur embarkation point have to pay an extra Rs62,000 as compared to those embarking at Mumbai.
A single-judge bench of justice MW Chandwani issued notices to the ministry, Haj Committee of India (HCI) and state authorities, seeking their response by June 15.
In similar petitions, the Aurangabad bench and Nagpur bench of HC have directed HCI to consider and decide the representations made by the petitioners for change of their embarkation point to Mumbai from Nagpur.
Meanwhile, the court asked the petitioners to deposit the balance amount as notified by HCI.
Though 700 to 800 pilgrims are affected by unequal charges at Nagpur, the court observed that many petitioners have not yet filed representations and permitted them to do so within two working days in its May 26 order.
In case the HCI considers the representation of the petitioners favourably, the pilgrims shall be entitled to a refund of the excess amount deposited by them, the court said.
Advocate Mir Nagma Ali, counsel for some 20 petitioners, said in case the petition is allowed and HCI allows change in embarkation point, then pilgrims are likely to get a refund of the excess amount.
“The pilgrims have applied for changing the embarkation point and HCI is supposed to take a call within a week. Secondly, in case a change in embarkation point is not allowed by HCI, then we shall seek refund of excess amount,” he said.
Pilgrims choosing Mumbai as embarkation point (EP) shall incur a total of ₹3.03 lakh. Those from Nagpur will end up paying ₹3.67 lakh. Aurangabad pilgrims have been charged ₹3.92 lakh.
Political leaders and activists have slammed the ministry and HCI, and demanded revision in charges.