Over 35,000 Haj pilgrims are left stranded in the legal tussle between the government and Private Tour Operators even as the date for the annual pilgrimage draws near.
The Private Tour Operators (PTOs) had urgently moved the Supreme Court on Friday against the delay in release of the quota of Haj seats for 36,000 pilgrims scheduled to travel through them.
They had argued that the pilgrimage would start on August 27, leaving them very little time to make essential arrangements for the Hajis in Mecca and Madina.
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The apex court had sought an immediate response from the government, even questioning whether it was trying to “frustrate” the pilgrims.
On Monday, in a hearing before a Bench led by Ranjana Desai, the government hit back at the PTOs.
Additional Solicitor General Neeraj Kishan Kaul blamed the PTOs for the delay.
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He said the PTOs were not complying with the Supreme Court guidelines of 2013 to annually prove their credentials before they are found eligible for allotment of Haj seats. The government said the PTOs refused to be screened despite a communication sent on April 28, 2014.
Instead, they challenged the release in the Bombay High Court, which held that the Supreme Court only intended to have them screened in 2013 and no further.
The government has already moved the Supreme Court in appeal against the High Court judgment. The matter is scheduled to come up in a week.
The Bench has now asked the PTOs to “standover” for a week until the government's appeal comes up for hearing.
“After one week we will do what we can do for you,” Justice Desai told them.