A local businessman from Dariyapur, Ahmedabad, has lodged a police complaint accusing a tour operator of fraud and breach of trust, alleging that he was cheated out of ₹22.40 lakh under the pretext of arranging a Haj pilgrimage for his family.

According to the complaint registered at Haveli Police Station, the complainant, Mohammad Sadiq Rasulmiya Sikh, who owns Sagar Enterprises and Sagar Traders in Dariyapur, alleged that Mohammad Darfiq Qureshi, the proprietor of Al Murtuza Tour and Travels, along with his son Mohammad Faisal Qureshi and an associate Mohammad Mujmil, deceitfully took the amount over months in 2023.

As per police, Sadiq had approached Al Murtuza Tour and Travels in September 2023, expressing his desire to perform Haj with his family in June 2024. The accused, who introduced themselves as partners in multiple tour companies including Hidayat Tour and Travels in Vadodara and Arthe Rumela Total Company, assured Sadiq his pilgrimage would be arranged.

Under this assurance, Sadiq borrowed ₹13 lakh from his two friends to meet the required sum. Payments were made in instalments — ₹10 lakh on 31 August 2023, ₹8 lakh on 9 September 2023, and ₹5 lakh on 10 September 2023 — totalling ₹20 lakh. A formal agreement was signed on stamp paper on 18 September 2023, confirming the payment and the tour commitment.

However, by May 2024, the accused allegedly claimed that only Al Murtuza Tour and Travels had secured the necessary licence for the Haj pilgrimage and demanded an additional ₹2.40 lakh. Sadiq, desperate to fulfil his family’s long-cherished wish of performing Haj, paid the requested amount through bank transfers. 

Despite the full payment of ₹22.40 lakh, neither the Haj arrangements materialised nor the money was returned. Repeated requests to refund the amount were met with evasive responses and false assurances. The family was emotionally and financially exploited under the pretext of religious faith and was cheated by the accused. 

Based on the allegations, Gaikewad Haveli police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)for cheating, breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy and further investigation regarding the matter is going on.