Hajj 2023: Madhya Pradesh High Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Change Of Embarkation Point From Bhopal To Mumbai

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed the PIL seeking change of embarkation point for 2023 Hajj pilgrimage from Bhopal to Mumbai.

“…Petitioners have no locus to file this public interest litigation, as they are neither beneficiary of the scheme nor going to perform the Haj pilgrimage. In case, any individual has grievance, he may approach this Court by filing separate individual writ petition, otherwise large number of applicants would approach the Haj Authorities which would create chaos and the planned time table for Haj Pilgrimage would get disturbed to a great extent,” said the division bench of Justice Rajendra Kumar Verma and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh.

A general direction is being sought by the petitioners under the garb of this public interest litigation, which cannot be countenanced, said the court.

The PIL was filed by Shahid Ali and Rehan Ahmad, stated to be social workers, alleging that circular issued in May by the Haj Committee of India provides for charging excessive amount from the Haj pilgrims having their embarkation point at Bhopal as compared to the pilgrims having their embarkation point from other cities.

The discriminatory attitude has been adopted by the committee in respect of the different embarkation points and no reasons have been assigned as to why there is a difference of amount between various embarkation points, the petitioners alleged.

While dismissing the PIL the Court said, “It is not known as to how many pilgrims would apply under the common order and wish to change their embarkation points. In view of the above, no public interest is involved so as to entertain this public interest litigation.”

Case Title: Shahid Ali & Ors. v. Hajj Committe Of India & Ors.

Case Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (MP) 70

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