AL AMANATH HAJ SERVICES INDIA PVT. LTD. v. UNION OF INDIA

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 68 WITH + W.P.(C) 7099/2023 & CM APPL. 27626/2023 TAMBOLI TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 69 AND + W.P.(C) 7102/2023 & CM APPL. 27630/2023, 27631/2023 MAHA TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioners Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Advocate with Mrs. Taiba Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mr. Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Akash Bhushan and Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advocates (M: 7073864707).

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondents Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 70 WITH + W.P.(C) 7104/2023 & CM APPL. 27639/2023 GHOUSE TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Singh, Advs. Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia CGSC with Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 71 WITH + W.P.(C) 7107/2023 & CM APPL. 27645/2023 AL HATIM TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 72 WITH + W.P.(C) 7110/2023 & CM APPL. 27649/2023 POONA TRAVELS PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Singh, Advs. Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia CGSC with Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 73 WITH + W.P.(C) 7114/2023 & CM APPL. 27744/2023 SANIA HAJ SERVICES..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 74 WITH + W.P.(C) 7120/2023 & CM APPLs. 27750-52/2023 AL MUQADDAS TOUR AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Kotla Harshavardhan and Mr. Kshitij Maheshwari, Advocates.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 75 WITH + W.P.(C) 7126/2023 & CM APPLs. 27769-70/2023 AL HATEEM TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Advocate with Mrs. Taiba Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mr. Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Akash Bhushan and Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advocates (M: 7073864707).

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 76 WITH + W.P.(C) 7127/2023 & CM APPLs. 27771-72/2023 QUADRI HAJ SERVICE..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Advocate with Mrs. Taiba Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mr. Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Akash Bhushan and Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advocates (M: 7073864707).

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 77 WITH + W.P.(C) 7128/2023 & CM APPLs. 27773-74/2023 M/S IQRAH HAJ CELL TOURS AND TRAVELS & ORS...... Petitioner Through: Mr PM. Jojo Jose, Mrs. Sunitha John, Mr. Navaneeth KK & Ms. Nikita Sethi, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 78 WITH + W.P.(C) 7130/2023 & CM APPL. 27775/2023 AL MEENA TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 79 WITH + W.P.(C) 7132/2023 & CM APPL. 27777/2023 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters AL AMAL TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Pratima Lakra, Mr. Mukul Singh & Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSCs with Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Mr. Vikrant Goyal & Mr. Vikramaditya Singh, Advs. 80 WITH + W.P.(C) 7148/2023 and CM APPL. 27874/2023, 27875/2023 AL MANASIK TOURS INTERNATIONAL..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Ms. Archana Surve (GP) 81 WITH + W.P.(C) 7150/2023 & CM APPLs. 27876/2023, 27877/2023 AL RAZACK TOURS INTERNATIONAL..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs. 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Apoorv Kurup, (CGSC) with Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, (GP) & Mr. Akhil Hasija, Advs. Mr Kirtiman Singh CGSC with Mr. Waize Ali Noor,Mr Yash Upadhyay, Ms. Archana Surve, Advocates. 82 WITH + W.P.(C) 7151/2023 & CM APPLs. 27878/2023, 27879/2023 M/S AL MOHSIN TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Apoorv Kurup, (CGSC) with Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, (GP) & Mr. Akhil Hasija, Advs. 83 WITH + W.P.(C) 7152/2023 & CM APPLs. 27880/2023, 27881/2023

S. S. HAJJ CORPORATION..... Petitioner

Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Kirtiman Singh CGSC with Mr. Waize Ali Noor,Mr Yash Upadhyay, Ms. Archana Surve, Advocates. 84 WITH + W.P.(C) 7189/2023 & CM APPL. 27976/2023 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters AL MEEZAB HAJ AND UMRAH SERVICES..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Sandeep Kr. Mahapatra, CGSC along with Mr. Sugam Kr. Jha and Ms. Osheen Verma, Advocates. 85 WITH + W.P.(C) 7197/2023 & CM APPLs. 27995/2023, 27996/2023 AL TAIYBA TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia CGSC with Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 86 WITH + W.P.(C) 7200/2023 & CM APPL. 28004/2023 SAUDI TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101) 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Mukul Singh CGSC with Mr Vedansh Anand Govt Pleader (M: 8076802450). 87 WITH + W.P.(C) 7206/2023 & CM APPLs. 28016/2023, 28017/2023 MUBARAK HAJ AND UMRA SERVICES..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia CGSC with Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 88 WITH + W.P.(C) 7219/2023 & CM APPLs. 28127/2023, 28128/2023 SYEDINA TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia CGSC with Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP with Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kai, GP with Mr. S

2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Srivastava Under Secretary, Mr. Sumit Goel. 89 WITH + W.P.(C) 7229/2023 & CM APPL. 28197/2023 RIZHWAN HAJ AND UMRA SERVICES..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Santhosh Krishnan, Mr. Zulfiker Ali P.S., Ms. Deepshikha Sansanwal, Ms. Lakshmi Sree P., Ms. Lebina Baby, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Mukul Singh CGSC & Ms Ira Singh Adv. 90 WITH + W.P.(C) 7233/2023 & CM APPLs. 28201/2023, 28202/2023 BAITULLAH TOURS INTERNATIONALL..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Ms Pratima N Lakra, CGSC with Mr Chandan Prajapati, Adv. 91 WITH + W.P.(C) 7241/2023 & CM APPLs. 28207/2023, 28208/2023 DHEEN HAJ SERVICE..... Petitioner Through: None.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Mukul Singh CGSC with Mr Vedansh Anand Central Government Pleader (M: 8076802450). 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters 92 WITH + W.P.(C) 7254/2023 & CM APPLs. 28245/2023, 28246/2023 RAZAK AND SONS KAKIWALA TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Kirtiman Singh CGSC with Mr Waize Ali Noor Adv, Mr Yash Upadhyay, Advs. Mr. Apoorv Kurup, (CGSC) with Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, (GP) & Mr. Akhil Hasija, Advs. 93 WITH W.P.(C) 7255/2023 & CM APPLs. 28247/2023, 28248/2023 FEDERATION HAJ PTOS OF INDIA..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Mukul Singh CGSC & Ms Ira Singh Adv. Ms Vidhi Gupta, GP and Ms Akanksha, Advocate. 94 WITH W.P.(C) 7256/2023 & CM APPLs. 28249/2023, 28250/2023 AL JAMIL HAJ TOURS..... Petitioner 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: None. 95 WITH W.P.(C) 7269/2023 & CM APPLs. 28279/2023, 28280/2023 SIDRA TOURS AND TRAVELS PRIVATE LIMITED..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr Mukul Singh CGSC & Ms Ira Singh Adv. 96 WITH W.P.(C) 7270/2023 & CM APPLs. 28281/2023, 28282/2023 AL FALAH TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Apoorv Kurup (CGSC) Mr. Akhil Hasija, Advocate for R-1 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters 97 WITH W.P.(C) 7271/2023 & CM APPLs. 28283/2023, 28284/2023 AL BURHAN TOURS AND TRAVELS..... Petitioner Through: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Mohd. Ainul Ansari, Mrs. Taiba khan, Mr Bhanu Malhotra, Mr. Rishabh Goyal, Mr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, Mr. Akash Bhushan, Mr. Gopeshwar Singh Chandel, Advs.

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Ms. Pratima N. Lakra, CGSC with Mr. Chandan Prajapati, Adv. (M- 9968324260). 101 AND + W.P.(C) 7354/2023 & CM APPL.28632/2023 AHMED WORLD TRAVEL TOURS AND CARGO PVT. LTD...... Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr. Deepak Kumar Khokhar and Mr. Kshitij Karn, Advocates (M:

7006269101)

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA..... Respondent Through: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, CGSC; Mr. Kaushal Jeet Kait, GP; Mr. Kritagya Kumar Kait; Mr. S.S. Verma, Deputy Secretary; Mr. S.S. Srivastava, Under Secretary; Mr Sumit Goel. CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH Prathiba M. Singh, J.(Oral)

1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. These are petitions relating to various Haj Group Organizers (HGOs) 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters and allotment of quota for Haj pilgrimage 2023. This Court has been hearing these matters from time to time.

3. The Haj Policy 2023 was announced by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (Haj Division) on 14th March, 2023. As per the said Policy, HGOs were categorized into Category 1 and Category 2 depending upon their experience and turnover.

4. Applications were called by the Ministry in terms of the Policy and a list of eligible and ineligible HGOs were declared on 5th May, 2023. Thereafter, several writ petitions were filed before this Court by HGOs which were rendered ineligible or whose names were not found in the declared list on the ground that the reasons for declaring the Petitioners ineligible were not communicated by the Ministry.

5. Considering the submissions made by the said HGOs, directions were issued by the Court vide order dated 9th May, 2023 to the following effect:

6. In terms of the above order, the reasons for ineligibility are stated to have been communicated by the Ministry to various ineligible HGOs who were given time till 12th May, 2023 to remove the deficiencies. However, even thereafter a large number of HGOs have been declared ineligible, which has led to the filing of the present writ petitions. The said petitions have also been heard by this Court along with the previously filed petitions over the last three hearings.

7. Ld. counsels for the parties were directed to prepare a chart as to the reasons for ineligibility of the HGOs and the said charts have been perused by the Court. Charts have been filed by both sides. W.P.(C) 6495/2023 & CM APPLs. 27734-35/2023 W.P.(C) 6496/2023 & CM APPLs. 27738-39/2023

8. In these two petitions, as per the letter dated 10th May, 2023, the deficiency leading to the Petitioners being rendered ineligible, is that the original hard copy of the FDR and the demand draft have not been submitted in terms of the Policy.

9. Today, after hearing submissions of the ld. Counsel it is clear that the hard copy of the FDR has been handed over to the Ministry along with 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters demand draft. In both these matters, this fact is confirmed by the officials who are present in Court.

10. Accordingly, let the quota be allocated to Petitioners- Harmain Tour and Travel and Hasnain Tours and Travels in terms of the Haj Policy 2023.

11. The present petitions, along with all pending applications, are disposed of.

12. The next date of hearing in these matters stands cancelled. W.P.(C) 7120/2023 & CM APPLs. 27750-52/2023

13. In this case, the application of the Petitioner – Al Muqaddas Tours and Travels for allotment of quota has been rejected by the Ministry on 19th May, 2023 on the ground that the earlier proprietor of the Petitioner firm has passed away, the existing experience of the Petitioner firm cannot be taken into account for the allocation of quota as per the Haj Policy, 2023.

14. A perusal of the facts of the present case would show that as per the Haj Policy, 2023, Al Muqaddas Tours and Travels is a category-2 HGO and has been organizing Haj and Umrah for the last 20 years.

15. Al Muqaddas Tours and Travels was started by Late Fakih Abdul Rashid Hajatay in 1991 as a sole proprietorship. It is stated that since 2006, the three sons of late Mr. Hajatay are working in the firm. Unfortunately, Mr. Hajatay passed away during Covid-19 in September, 2020. The firm is stated to have continued to do business and after the death of Mr. Hajatay, the firm has been converted from a proprietor firm to a partnership firm. The same has been notified to the Ministry vide letter dated 6th May, 2023. Currently, the sons of late Mr. Hajatay’s are partners in the firm.

16. It is noticed that the Petitioner was found to be one of the eligible HGOs selected for Haj 2022 vide a list issued by the Ministry in May 2022. 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters Considering the fact that the Petitioner was declared as eligible HGO last year, the submission of the Ministry that the existing experience of the Petitioner cannot be taken into account would no longer be tenable for disqualifying the Al Muqaddas Tours and Travels.

17. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. The Petitioner shall be allotted the quota as per the Policy.

18. The present petition, along with all pending applications, is disposed of. W.P.(C) 7255/2023 & CM APPLs. 28247/2023, 28248/2023

19. The present petition has been filed by the Petitioner – Federation Haj PTOs of India seeking issuance of directions to the Ministry of Minority Affairs (Haj Division) to issue the list of allocation of Haj quota to HGOs for Haj-2023.

20. Since the said list of allocation of quota has already been declared in terms of the order dated 24th May, 2023 passed by this Court, the present petition is infructuous and is accordingly disposed of. All pending applications are also disposed of. W.P.(C) 7336/2023 & CM APPL.28528/2023 W.P.(C) 7345/2023 & CM APPL. 28543/2023 W.P.(C) 7095/2023 & CM APPLs. 27614-16/2023 W.P.(C) 7098/2023 & CM APPL. 27623/2023 W.P.(C) 7099/2023 & CM APPL. 27626/2023 W.P.(C) 7104/2023 & CM APPL. 27639/2023 W.P.(C) 7107/2023 & CM APPL. 27645/2023 W.P.(C) 7110/2023 & CM APPL. 27649/2023 W.P.(C) 7114/2023 & CM APPL. 27744/2023 W.P.(C) 7130/2023 & CM APPL. 27775/2023 W.P.(C) 7132/2023 & CM APPL. 27777/2023 W.P.(C) 7150/2023 & CM APPLs. 27876/2023, 27877/2023 W.P.(C) 7189/2023 & CM APPL. 27976/2023 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters W.P.(C) 7200/2023 & CM APPL. 28004/2023 W.P.(C) 7219/2023 & CM APPLs. 28127/2023, 28128/2023 W.P.(C) 7233/2023 & CM APPLs. 28201/2023, 28202/2023 W.P.(C) 7254/2023 & CM APPLs. 28245/2023, 28246/2023 W.P.(C) 7270/2023 & CM APPLs. 28281/2023, 28282/2023 W.P.(C) 7271/2023 & CM APPLs. 28283/2023, 28284/2023 W.P.(C) 7354/2023 & CM APPL.28632/2023

21. It has been observed by the Court that in a large number of matters, the main deficiency relates to alleged non-payment of GST.

22. Clause 3 of the Haj Policy 2023 specifies the requirement of GST in the following terms:

23. The submission on behalf of the Petitioners is that the amount of GST payable is not clear, inasmuch as initially the HGOs were claiming exemption for the HAJ piligrimage. This issue was finally decided by the Supreme Court vide judgment dated 26th July, 2022 passed in W.P.(C) 755/2020 titled All India Haj Umrah Tour Organizer Association, Mumbai v. Union of India wherein it was held that the exemptions which were given to the Haj Committee would not be applicable to the private HGOs. Relevant portion of the said judgment is set out below:

24. It is submitted by ld. Counsels for the parties that another issue which arose, as recorded in paragraphs 24 and 66 of the said judgment in respect of extra territorial operation of service tax, has not been adjudicated and is still open to be decided in appropriate proceedings. It is in view of this uncertainty that several of the HGOs which have been found to be ineligible have paid 18% GST on the margin amounts. On the other hand, entities which have been found to be eligible under the policy have paid GST @ 5% on the total turnover itself.

25. Some of the Petitioners, who are before this Court, have made certain GST payments prior to the filing of the application for allocation of quota. However, a large number of Petitioners have only made payments post filing of the application.

26. This Court has examined the factual position in respect of all the HGOs and notices that there are certain HGOs which satisfy the following 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters two conditions: i. HGO has a GST registration certificate; ii. Some GST payments have been made prior to the filing of the application; In respect of the above said HGOs, the stand of the Ministry is that the full amount of GST has not been paid qua the total turnover;

27. The HGOs which fulfil the above two conditions in respect of whom there is only a discrepancy as to amount of GST deposited, are as under:

1 W.P.(C) 7336/2023 AL MAKKAH HAJ SERVICES 2 W.P.(C) 7345/2023 M. S. WORLD TRAVEL SERVICES 3 W.P.(C) 7095/2023 1) HAJIPIR HAJ TOUR

2) FAIZ INTERNATIONAL TOURS AND TRAVELS 4 W.P.(C) 7098/2023 SHOYEB TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 5 W.P.(C) 7099/2023 TAMBOLI TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 6 W.P.(C) 7104/2023 GHOUSE TOURS AND TRAVELS 7 W.P.(C) 7107/2023 AL HATIM TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 8 W.P.(C) 7110/2023 POONA TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 9 W.P.(C) 7114/2023 SANIA HAJ SERVICES 10 W.P.(C) 7130/2023 AL MEENA TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 11 W.P.(C) 7132/2023 AL AMAL TOURS AND 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters TRAVELS PVT. LTD. 12 W.P.(C) 7150/2023 AL RAZACK TOURS INTERNATIONAL 13 W.P.(C) 7189/2023 AL MEEZAB HAJ AND UMRAH SERVICES 14 W.P.(C) 7200/2023 SAUDI TOURS AND TRAVELS 15 W.P.(C) 7219/2023 SYEDINA TOURS AND TRAVELS 16 W.P.(C) 7233/2023 BAITULLAH TOURS INTERNATIONALL 17 W.P.(C) 7254/2023 RAZAK AND SONS KAKIWALA TOURS AND TRAVELS 18 W.P.(C) 7270/2023 AL FALAH TOURS AND TRAVELS 19 W.P.(C) 7271/2023 AL BURHAN TOURS AND TRAVELS 20 W.P.(C) 7354/2023 AHMED WORLD TRAVEL TOURS AND CARGO PVT. LTD.

28. The Court has perused the relevant clause in the 2023 Haj Policy. The same would reveal that while GST registration is mandatory and payment of GST is also mandatory. If there is any uncertainty in respect of the amount of GST to be paid, the same would be an issue which would have to be considered by the GST authorities and, in the opinion of the Court, cannot operate as a disqualification of the abovementioned Petitioner HGOs. The percentage of GST liable to be deposited, the uncertainty about the exemption issue, the manner in which GST would have to be calculated i.e., whether on the margins or on total turnover are all intricate issues which the GST authorities would be examining qua each of the HGOs. The same 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters would depend on the period, applicable rates etc., So long as the HGOs have a GST registration and have an explanation for the manner in which they have calculated and deposited GST prior to them filing of the application for allotment of quotas, disqualifying them would be unjust. The Ministry of Minority Affairs is not the competent authority to deal with these issues, though an attempt has been made to explain that the eligible HGOs have made full GST deposits.

29. On the last date of hearing, the Court was handed over a chart in which details of the quota available with the Ministry were given. The said details are captured in the order dated 24th May, 2023 in the following terms:

30. Thus, out of the total quota of 35,005 a total of 34,100 seats have already been allocated and 905 seats are still available. After taking into consideration the available quota i.e., 905 seats, the minimum threshold of 50 seats would not be available to all the above HGOs. Allotment of lesser seats would be a breach of the quota numbers and according to Mr. Ahluwalia would not be in the interest of pilgrims.

31. Considering the above background, in respect of quota allocation, the following directions are issued: a) The Ministry shall first allot quotas to Al Muqaddas Tours and Travels, Harmain Tours and Travels and Hasnain Tours and Travels for Haj- 2023 as their writ petitions have been allowed, as directed above. b) Thereafter, insofar as the remaining quota is concerned, the same shall be dealt with in terms of the Haj policy, 2023 and shall be distributed among Category-1 and Category-2 HGOs. c) Today, the Court has been informed that there is an enquiry which is being conducted by the Ministry qua 17 HGOs who have already been declared eligible and were allocated quotas for Haj 2023. It is 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters directed that if any quota becomes available, post the enquiry, the same shall be distributed in accordance with the Policy with a minimum of 50/100 seats as per their category to the HGOs which are listed above at paragraph number 27. d) Any quota which may be left over, thereafter, shall be dealt with in accordance with the Haj Policy, 2023.

32. The present petitions are disposed of in the above terms.

33. All pending applications are also disposed of.

34. It is noted that subsequent to the implementation of the present order the quota for HGOs would stand exhausted and in any case, large scale arrangements are to be made for the pilgrims. Thus, it is made clear that these orders are passed in the unique facts and circumstances and shall not act as a precedent.

35. The next date of hearing in these matters stands cancelled, if any.

36. The Court would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance given by the counsels/persons in preparing the charts and assisting the court: For the Petitioners: Mr. Sulaiman Mohd. Khan, Mr. Bharat Raichandani, Mr Kotla Harshavardhan, Advocates. For the Respondents: Mr. Anurag Ahluwalia, ld. CGSC, Ms. Pratima N. Lakra, ld. CGSC, Mr. S.S. Verma (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs) and Mr. Gaurav Jaiswal, Consultant. W.P.(C) 7310/2023 & CM APPL.28442/2023 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & CM APPLs. 27736-37/2023 W.P.(C) 7102/2023 & CM APPL. 27630/2023, 27631/2023 W.P.(C) 7126/2023 & CM APPLs. 27769-70/2023 W.P.(C) 7127/2023 & CM APPLs. 27771-72/2023 2023:DHC:3738 W.P.(C) 6466/2023 & connected matters W.P.(C) 7128/2023 & CM APPLs. 27773-74/2023 W.P.(C) 7148/2023 and CM APPL. 27874/2023, 27875/2023 W.P.(C) 7151/2023 & CM APPLs. 27878/2023, 27879/2023 W.P.(C) 7152/2023 & CM APPLs. 27880/2023, 27881/2023 W.P.(C) 7197/2023 & CM APPLs. 27995/2023, 27996/2023 W.P.(C) 7206/2023 & CM APPLs. 28016/2023, 28017/2023 W.P.(C) 7229/2023 & CM APPL. 28197/2023 W.P.(C) 7241/2023 & CM APPLs. 28207/2023, 28208/2023 W.P.(C) 7256/2023 & CM APPLs. 28249/2023, 28250/2023 W.P.(C) 7269/2023 & CM APPLs. 28279/2023, 28280/2023

37. Considering the nature of issues raised in these petitions and bearing in mind the schedule for HAJ 2023, no interim relief is granted at this stage. List on 6th November, 2023.

38. Next date in these matters, if any, stands cancelled.

39. Dasti.

PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE MAY 25, 2023/dk/dj/sk/kt