ACC starts probe against errant Hajj agencies

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has recently started investigation into the reported mismanagement and irregularities by the errant Hajj agencies.

Anisur Rahman, acting secretary of the Religious Affair Ministry, said a probe body was formed recently by the ACC to probe the allegations against Hajj agencies at fault, based on reports published in different media.

The ministry, he said, will provide the list and other information of the agencies, stand accused of negligence and irregularities, to the ACC by December 28, he said.

"This year we found allegations against more than 100 agencies, legal step will be taken against them after the probe committee submits their report on this matter," the secretary added.

A total of 1,27,229 pilgrims, including all administrative and hajj management representatives, have performed hajj from Bangladesh in the year 2017, reports UNB.

Held on August 31 this year, some 635 Hajj agencies sent 1,27,198 pilgrims under private management.

Half the pilgrims took Biman Bangladesh flights, while the other half opted for Suadia Airlines.

Some 152 people, 119 being men and 33 women, died while performing their hajj this year and of those, 106 died in Makkah, 24 in Madina, 6 in Jeddah and 16 in Mina.