Mangaluru pilgrims allege theft of Rs 5.88 lac worth Saudi currency while travelling to Jeddah

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 12, 2024: A group of pilgrims en route to Jeddah for Umrah has reported the theft of 26,432 Saudi Riyals from a bag. Soukath Banu, spouse of Ahmed Iqbal from Ajyad Tours and Travels, lodged a complaint with Bajpe Police, stating that Ahmed Iqbal, accompanied by 35 others, had organized a pilgrimage to Umrah, departing from Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) via Mumbai to Jeddah. Soukath Banu had entrusted Ahmed Iqbal with 2,000 Saudi Riyals for Umrah expenses, with the remaining group members advised to bring their own Saudi Riyals for expenses.

According to Soukath’s account, the group departed for Jeddah on an IndiGo flight via Mumbai, with their return ticket scheduled for May 13. At the airport, a total of 26,432 Saudi Riyals were collected and securely placed in luggage with a lock, entrusted to Mohammad Badruddin Kadambar. Airport staff even questioned the contents of Kadambar’s bag. Upon arrival in Jeddah on May 1, Kadambar discovered that the bag’s lock had been tampered with, the zipper damaged, and the cash stolen.

DCP (Law and Order) Sidharth Goyal stated that following the complaint, one round of CCTV checks was conducted at MIA in collaboration with CISF personnel, confirming the integrity of the loading process. Further investigations are pending at Mumbai and Jeddah airports, as the missing cash was only discovered upon arrival at the final destination.