- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:24649 WP No. 14702 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY WRIT PETITION NO. 14702 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. YOUNUS KHAN S/O ABDULLA KHAN AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS. RESIDING AT 603, HAVELI MOHALLA KOLAR-563101 KARNATAKA. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SUHAIL DIL NAWAZ., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, 11TH FLOOR, DEEN DAYAL ANTYODAYA LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI 100 003 2. THROUGH ALL INDIA HAJ COMMITTEE REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BAIT-UL-HUJJAJ (HAJ HOUSE), 7-A, M.R.A. MARG, PALTON ROAD, MUMBAI-400 001. 3. EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KARNATAKA STATE HAJ COMMITTEE HAJ HOUSE HEGDE NAGAR, BENGALURU 560 077 4. SECRETARY, MINISTRY FOR WAKF AND MINORITY AFFAIRS Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:24649 WP No. 14702 of 2026 GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA VIDHAN SOUDHA BANGALORE-560001 …RESPONDENTS (BY Mrs.SWAMINI GANESH MOHANAMBAL, CGC FOR R1; SMT. SPOORTHI V, HCGP FOR R2) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER, OR DIRECTION QUASHING CIRCULAR NO. HAJ-2026/39 DATED 28.04.2026 ANNEXURE C ISSUED BY THE HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA TO THE EXTENT IT DIRECTS DEPOSIT OF AN ADDITIONAL USD 100 / RS. 10,000 TOWARDS DIFFERENTIAL AIRFARE, ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER 1. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, is filed seeking for the following reliefs: a. List the writ petition for urgent hearing; b. Stay the operation and effect of Circular No.Haj- 2026/39 dated 28.04.2026 Annexure-C; c. Restrain the respondents from insisting upon payment of the additional USD 100 / Rs.10,000 pending disposal of the writ petition; d. Direct the respondents to maintain status quo with regard to the impugned demand until further - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:24649 WP No. 14702 of 2026 orders; and to refund the amount collected immediately preceding the Haj Circular 2026/39; e. Pass such other order as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice and equity. 2. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner. 3. It is the case of the petitioner that the respondents who have collected a total sum of Rs.2,77,300/- from the Haj Pilgrims, have now subsequently issued the impugned circular dated 28.04.2026 asking the said pilgrims to pay additional cost of Rs.10,000/- towards differential air fare. According to the petitioner, the air tickets were booked much earlier, and therefore, merely for the reason that there is an increase in fuel price due to the on-going war in the mid-east, the respondents are not justified in demanding additional sum of Rs.10,000/- towards differential air fare. 4. Perusal of the material on record would go to show that the petitioner has not registered himself as a pilgrim for traveling to Haj, and undisputedly, he has not deposited any money for traveling to Haj for the present year. The demand for payment of differential amount of Rs.10,000/- raised vide - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:24649 WP No. 14702 of 2026 Circular at Annexure-C dated 28.04.2026 is only from the pilgrims of Haj 2026 who have registered their names with the Haj Committee of India and have already paid/deposited the amount as aforesaid. Under the circumstances, petitioner cannot have any grievance as against the said circular, and therefore, he has no locus standi to question the same. Therefore, the writ petition is dismissed as not maintainable. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE KK