Calcutta police have started a probe against the promoters and directors of Cox & Kings India Ltd after several customers alleged the travel agency had cheated them of over Rs 4 crore for Puja holiday tours it later called off abruptly.

The agency’s main office on Calcutta’s 6 Russel Street has been closed for the past few days. The probe by the detective department follows a complaint lodged with Shakespeare Sarani police station on Thursday by a customer, Camellia Dutta of Belgharia, and several others.

They have alleged that the company had collected Rs 75 lakh from them for tours to various countries but cancelled the trips.

Some of the customers have told the police that they were called up suddenly and told their trips had been called off because of unavoidable circumstances. Cox & Kings officials were not available for comment.

On Friday, the Russell Street office of the travel company had notices pasted on the gates informing customers that it would not be able to conduct tours to the US, Europe, Australia, Bali, Dubai and Russia, among other destinations.

According to an employee of the company, they had not received salaries since July. “But we kept going to the office, hoping things would change for the good. Instead, we have been asked to resign with immediate effect,” said Kumar Raj Babbar.

According to Kumar and one more employee, who did not wish to be named, they had not received any clear explanations on why their salaries had stopped, except that the firm was going through a rough phase. Both said several of their colleagues had lodged a complaint at Shakespeare Sarani police station.

Preyashi Karmakar, who said she had booked a package to Switzerland for Rs 1.43 lakh, struggled to come to terms with the way her holiday plans had fallen apart. “The office is shut and they have put up notices. I have sent emails but have not received a reply yet,” said Karmakar.

Senior officers of Calcutta police’s detective department said their preliminary probe had revealed the company had collected over Rs 4 crore from 75 persons for the proposed tours. “A case has been drawn up on charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy,” said an officer.