FIR registered against travel agency operating ‘illegally’ in Kashmir, two arrested: Police

Srinagar: The tourism enforcement wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has busted an “illegal/un-registered Hajj/Umrah Tour & Travel agency operating in the valley” and arrested two persons, said a spokesman.
Tourist Police Station Srinagar received information that an un-approved travel agency located at New Delhi is allegedly operating in Kashmir valley illegally and “giving frequent advertisements in local newspapers in order to cheat gullible people.” “On this information, case FIR No. 06/2017 U/S 420,120 B, RPC 2/28-32, 36 (2) Tourist Trade Act RW section 2(g) T.T Act was registered by Tourist Police Station Srinagar and investigation was taken up,” said the spokesman.
“Keeping in view the public importance of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by ZPHQ Kashmir vide order issued under No. KZ/CR/2017/340/26108-13 Dated 17-07-2017 under the supervision of SDPO Sadder Srinagar.” Two persons were arrested who were operating in Srinagar on behalf of the agency, he said.
The duo was working with the agency, located at First floor Abu Fazal Enclave Jamia Nagar Okhla New Delhi and were persuading and motivating the local Hajj aspirants regarding the HAJJ 2017 and were collecting money from the Hajj aspirants.
“During investigation it also surfaced that the above mentioned accused company has received approximately one crore rupees in their ICICI Bank account and 100 passports from a Kerala based tour operator namely Bharath Haj & Umrah Services for providing visas for Hajj 2017.”
“During investigation this account was frozen on the orders of the Hon’ble Court to safeguard the money deposited by the Hajj aspirants of Kerala through the above named tour operator.”
“Further it has surfaced that the agency has not been issued quota for the Hajj 2017 by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Some incriminating documents & passports have been recovered from the accused persons and Rs 330,000/= were recovered and released in favour of cheated hajj aspirants.”
The charge sheet in case FIR No. 06 of 2017 under section 420,120 B, RPC 2/28-32, 36 (2) Tourist Trade Act RW section 2(g) TT Act against five persons was produced before CJM Srinagar Wednesday on 27th Dec 2017.
Two accused were produced before the hon’ble court whereas three accused are absconding.