Key Takeaways
- Hajj 2026 pilgrims returning to Lucknow found luggage missing, broken into, or stripped of contents including perfume, jewellery, and prayer items
- At least four named complainants described losses; one claimed more than 50 pilgrims were affected
- The Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee said some bags may still be in transit and called for formal complaints, but no arrests or FIRs have been reported
Pilgrims returning to Lucknow after completing Hajj 2026 staged a protest at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on 2 June 2026, alleging that their luggage had been tampered with and personal belongings stolen
The demonstration drew attention after videos of the scene circulated widely on social media.
What Pilgrims Found
Haji Akbar Ali, a resident of Gonda district, returned from Hajj 2026 with his wife to find one of his bags missing entirely. He waited roughly three hours at the airport without receiving any explanation from staff.
A woman pilgrim from Kanpur described a different form of theft: her bag arrived with the exterior intact but the plastic wrapping removed and the contents disturbed. She reported losing six bottles of ittar, five silver rings, two gold nose pins, five hijabs, children’s toys, and other items.
A third pilgrim, who was not named, found the lock on his bag broken. Ittar, a prayer mat, hijabs, and other belongings were missing.
Haji Habib described the most extensive losses. He said two of his bags were missing altogether and a third had its lock broken and contents taken. Items he reported as stolen included 14 bottles of ittar, three watches, three silver rings, two gold nose pins, and eight niqabs. He also claimed that more than 50 pilgrims had experienced similar problems.
Pilgrims said they had no difficulties during the journey itself. The missing and tampered bags were only discovered after landing in Lucknow.
Authority Response
The Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee said some passengers’ luggage may not yet have arrived and could still be in transit. On the theft and tampering allegations, the committee said it would carry out an investigation. Affected pilgrims were directed to file formal complaints with the relevant details.
As of the time of reporting, no arrests had been made and no formal police complaint — known in India as an FIR — had been filed.
Uttar Pradesh holds one of India’s largest Hajj quotas, and Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport serves as the main departure and arrival point for the state’s pilgrims.
The items reported stolen — ittar, jewellery, prayer mats, hijabs, and niqabs — are among the most common goods pilgrims carry back from Saudi Arabia as gifts or personal purchases.
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