ACC Deputy Director (Media) Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya informed bdnews24.com of the decision on Thursday.

“We have received complaints of mismanagement against 18 Hajj agencies,” he said. “The allegations have been reported in the media. The ACC decided to launch a probe into the allegations based on these reports.”

The ACC was unable to find any employees when they visited the offices of two of the agencies, he said.

Asked which agencies were being probed and which ones had been visited, the official said, “The matter is still under investigation so nothing more can be revealed at this time.”

A number of Hajj pilgrims every year fall victim to administrative errors.

This year, almost 400 prospective pilgrims were unable to make their trips this year due to visa complications, delays in guide fee payments and bookings for lodging.

Ninety-eight such Bangladeshis have filed complaints against 18 Hajj agencies over their failure to fulfil their obligations, Ministry of Religious Affairs Joint Secretary Hafizur Rahman told the media on Tuesday.

A parliamentary panel has also recommended identifying the agencies responsible and canceling their licenses.