Bhatkal tour operator fleeced us during Umrah pilgrimage, allege elderly couple

Bhatkal tour operator fleeced us during Umrah pilgrimage, allege elderly couple

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 14, 2014: An elderly couple hailing from Kaikamba have lodged complaints with the Bajpe police as well as IGP (Western Range) seeking action against a tour operator from Bhatkal who not only ill-treated them but also fleeced them during their Umrah pilgrimage in the month of January.

The aggrieved couple Rahiman (70) and his wife Bifathima (62) who spoke to reporters in the city on February 14, Friday said  they had paid Rs 90,000 to Bhatkal based  Matta Umra Service owned by Ansar Matta. Rahiman said while agreeing to arrange the tour, Ansar had  assured that here were no hidden costs and that  the amount will cover all expenses. 

However,our  sordid tale began no sooner they left for the pilgrimage to Madinah in Saudi Arabia,”  says Rahiman. He says they left the city on January 14 and reached their destination  Madinah four days later. He alleged Ansar  asked them to pay the expenses towards taxi in Mumbai and later demanded Rs 20,000 as soon as they reached Jeddah. The couple said they had to ultimately spend  Rs 1.09 lakh including the Rs 90,000 paid to the tour operator.

 He said in Jeddah Rahiman demanded Rs 20,000 and when they refused, he  threw their passport on the ground and even assaulted Bifathima. It is learnt, they agreed to pay Rs 15000 as they were afraid of being left in the lurch in a foreign land. The couple also said they were not provided proper food during the tour as both were  diabetic.”We had to manage by drinking watery tea as the tea provided to us was  sweet tea,” they said adding without blankets they had to suffer due to cold  conditions in Madinah.

Rahiman said though they filed a complaint in Jeddah, the tour operator defended himself  saying he himself had spent from his pocket for them.

The couple said the tour operator was not to be seen once their  flight landed in Mumbai on January 31 and they were at a complete loss as they had no money. Finally the officials at the airport enquired them and helped them get in touch with their daughter in Mumbai.

 The couple, it is learnt were hospitalised for a few days after their return and now that they have recovered have lodged complaints with the police with the hope of securing justice.