On 21st Dec.2008 Sunday, I travelled to Elephanta Caves by the ferries, on Gateway Elephanta Jal-vahatuk Sahakari Sansthan Maryadit tickets (No. 057816 to 057819) while returning by the Al-Hamd ferry, a man (I have taken his photo ) was standing near the ladder to the deck and collecting money (Rs. 10/- per head) for allowing to the deck. I gave the money (Rs.40/- for four persons) and wanted the receipt for the payment. He did not reply to me. So I climbed the ladder and took the seat.
After 10 minutes the same man came upto me and asked for forty rupees more, claiming that I have not taken tickets for the deck. I objected to him on two grounds 1) There is no separate ticket for the deck, over and above the 120 rupees, 2) He has already collected Rs.40/- by forecefully blocking the ladder and collected money without ticket & receipt, something like a day-night robbery in the middle of the Sea. Again and again he was coming to me and pestering me for more money. I warned him that I will complain to the police and the govt. for which he arrogantly replied, you do or write whatever you want and threatened further that he will not leave me.
It has become a nightmare for tourists visiting Elephanta Caves because of the organized nature of this crime of charging money as and when they want under threats in the middle of the Sea. It is very evident that organized gangs are operating to extort money by daylight robbery under threat in the middle of the high seas.
The boat operators are employing goons to extort money again and again by threatening the tourists.They collect money for occupying the top deck even though the 120 rupees you have paid includes everything and there are jno separate charges for sitting at the deck They collect money like extortion evidently without giving any receipt.Once you paid the amount also they do not leave you, they again come to the deck and threaten that that you have not paid and again threaten you to pay more money .Once they start demanding money without tickets where is the end for the daylight robbery.The vigilance department has to strictly punish these goons.