A dentist from Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, has lodged a police complaint against a tour operator for allegedly failing to refund Rs 5.14 lakh paid for a pilgrimage package that was canceled due to political unrest in Nepal.
According to the complaint filed on June 4, the dentist had approached a tour and travel firm in July 2025 to book a pilgrimage package to Chhapaiya and Pulhashram for 26 family members. The tour operator informed him that the total cost of the trip would be around Rs 12 lakh and assured him that the entire airfare would be refunded if the tour was canceled for any reason.
Police said the complainant later paid Rs 4.09 lakh for flight tickets at Rs 15,750 per person. He also deposited Rs 78,000 for the tour package, paid Rs 15,000 as a transport deposit, and transferred Rs 12,050 online for the Nepal permit. The total amount paid to the tour operator came to Rs 5.14 lakh, for which receipts were issued.
Before the scheduled travel, political unrest in Nepal led to disruptions, including flight and tour cancellations. Given the situation, the complainant decided to cancel the trip and contacted the tour operator to request a refund. According to the complaint, the tour operator assured the family that 50% of the tour amount and the entire airfare component would be refunded within a month. The complainant alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, he was not issued a refund.
Navrangpura police have registered a case of cheating and begun an investigation. The incident highlights the risks of travel bookings during periods of political instability and the importance of clear refund policies.
