The Protection of Pilgrims Act, 1887

This Act may be cited as “ The Protection of Pilgrims Act, 1887 ”.

Definitions In this Act,—

1. (1) “ pilgrim ” means a Muhammadan who is about to proceed from the port of Bombay on a pilgrimage to the Hedjaz, whether he is going direct to Jeddah, or via any other part :
2. (2) “ pilgrim-broker ” means a person who buys and resells, or sells on commission, or takes any reward for the purchase or sale of passage-tickets for pilgrims :
3. (3) “ agent ” includes a person who has chartered a vessel for the conveyance of pilgrims :
4. (4) “ the Commissioner ” means the Commissioner of Police, Bombay, or his deputy.

Any person who, without a licence from the Commissioner, acts as a pilgrim-broker shall be liable for each such offence to a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Subject to the orders of the Central Government, the Commissioner may grant to such persons as he thinks fit licences to act as pilgrim-brokers.

Licences what to specify Every licence so granted shall specify—

1. (a) the name and business-address of the licensee;
2. (b) the period for which it is to be in force;
3. (c) the conditions on which, and the restrictions and limitations subject to which, it is granted; and shall be granted on payment to the Central Government of such fee, if any, as that Government may from time to time direct: Provided that, until provision to the contrary is made by the Parliament by law, all such fees shall be payable to the State Government under this section as were being lawfully taken thereunder immediately before the commencement of the Constitution

Any licensed pilgrim-broker who shall—

1. (a) commit a breach of any of the terms or conditions of his licence;
2. (b) purchase for or sell to any pilgrim a passage-ticket by any vessel to which the provisions of the Pilgrim Ships Act, 1895, apply, at any time before notice has been given by the master, owner or agent of such vessel, under section 8 of the said Act, of the date on which it is proposed that such vessel shall sail, and unless, in the case of any vessel, the proposed date of sailing is printed on the passage-ticket;
3. (c) charge a pilgrim more than the cost price of any passage-ticket, provisions or other articles purchased for him, or receive from him any fee or commission on account of such ticket;
4. (d) receive from the master, owner or agent of a vessel any fee or commission in respect of the sale of any ticket, exceeding five per centum of the price of such ticket;
5. (e) purchase for any pilgrim a passage-ticket, on which there is not printed the price charged by the master, owner or agent of the vessel for each class of accommodation;
6. (f) by fraud or by false representation as to the size of, or accommodation, on board, such vessels, or otherwise, or by any false pretence whatever, induce any person to purchase a passage-ticket; shall be liable for each such offence to a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

The Commissioner may suspend the licence of any pilgrim-broker pending inquiry into any accusation against him of misconduct for which, if proved, he would be liable to a penalty under the last preceding section, and may cancel any licence granted by him if the licensee is convicted of any offence under the said section or of any criminal offence.

[Repealed by Act 20 of 1932, section 24 (1).]

[Repealed by Act 20 of 1932, section 24 (1).]

[Repealed by Act 20 of 1932, section 24 (1).]

[Repealed by Act 14 of 1927, section 4.]

[Repealed by Act 14 of 1927, section 4.]

[Repealed by Act 14 of 1927, section 4.]

[Repealed by Act 14 of 1927, section 4.]

Any master, owner or agent of any vessel carrying pilgrims, who shall issue any passage-ticket in excess of the number allowed by the certificate granted under section 11 of the Pilgrim Ships Act, 1896, shall for every passage-ticket so issued be liable to a fine not exceeding four times the cost price of such ticket.

All passage-tickets shall be numbered consecutively according to the order of issue; and any master, owner or agent, who shall issue two or more tickets bearing the same number, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees.

The provisions of sections 51, 52 and 54 of the Pilgrim Ships Act, 1896, shall apply to all offences punishable, and to all penalties leviable, under this Act.

The penalties to which masters and owners of vessels are made liable by this Act shall be enforced only by information laid at the instance of the Commissioner.