Hi everyone, I run a small travel startup and I am looking for some legal guidance on a B2B travel dispute involving criminal breach of trust and cheating. I recently hired a ground operator for a client expedition to Spiti Valley (May 30 to June 5, 2026), and they completely defrauded my business.

Here is the breakdown of the situation:

1. The Agreement and Payments

• The total agreed B2B package cost for 5 adults was INR 82,500.
• The itinerary strictly included a pre-paid overnight stay at a specific camp in Chandra Taal on June 3.
• I transferred a total advance of INR 60,000 via UPI across three transactions before the trip started to secure all logistics.
• The pending balance of INR 22,500 was contractually agreed to be paid only after the successful completion of the trip.

2. The Incident (June 3, 2026)

• When my 5 clients arrived at Chandra Taal (altitude 14,100 feet), the camp management informed them that no reservation existed. The vendor had not transferred any money to the property.
• The vendor knowingly retained my advance funds while failing to render the specific service they were paid for, keeping me in the dark.

3. Emergency Costs and Vendor's Admission

• Stranded in a life-threatening terrain, my clients were forced to pay INR 9,000 in emergency cash to camp staff just to secure basic shelter. I immediately reimbursed my clients out of my own pocket to protect them.
• When I confronted the vendor, their representative explicitly admitted on a recorded phone call that they missed the booking.
• However, the vendor refused to refund the misappropriated funds from the INR 60,000 advance they were currently holding.
• Instead, they instructed me to reimburse the travelers (INR 9,000) and the driver (INR 12,000) directly, advising me to artificially deduct these emergency costs from the pending post-trip balance of INR 22,500.

4. The Current Situation

• By issuing that instruction, the vendor explicitly acknowledged their failure to book the camp, yet willfully refused to return the corporate funds they had already collected for that specific service.
• The vendor has now ceased all communication.
• To make matters worse, my clients are now claiming a combined compensation of INR 30,000 from me for the severe physical and mental trauma endured due to the vendor's negligence.

Leaving in 1hr, right at 8am. Ik it's a very sudden plan, and a seat is available on my bike.

Better clarity, am 25M, professional Rock climber, trekking and hiking since 8 years and exploring new locations around Vadodara since a long time.

Looking for adventure people.

!lock

I am planning to go to delhi for a protest for the basic rights of education.

If Someone is willing to join this revolution please let me know.

Sitting at home won't make a change in this corrupt government.