Daily Wager Dies in Custody During Loan Recovery Operation in Aligarh District
A tragic incident unfolded in Aligarh district on Tuesday when a 55-year-old daily wager, identified as Ilyas Khan, died while in the custody of revenue officials. The death occurred during a loan recovery operation, sparking allegations of misconduct and prompting an official investigation.
Family Alleges Forcible Pickup Without Prior Notice
According to Khan's family, he was forcibly taken from his home by a tehsil team without any prior notice. His son, Firoz Pathan, claimed that the staff demanded Rs 20,000 from his father before taking him away. "A tehsil team took my dad forcibly without serving notice. Within an hour, we received a call informing us that he was dead," Pathan stated, highlighting the sudden and shocking nature of the event.
Khan's wife, Shabana, admitted that her husband had taken a loan from a private firm and was paying instalments, but the family disputes the circumstances of his detention.
Official Version Cites Court Order and Medical Emergency
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Pankaj Kumar provided a different account, explaining that the recovery process was initiated after Khan failed to repay an outstanding loan of Rs 1.47 lakh, along with collection charges. "After he failed to repay, the firm approached court for recovery. Following the court order, the recovery process was carried out by tehsil staff," Kumar said.
He added that an 'amin' and other staff members went to Khan's place and took him to the tehsil after he agreed to go with them. "Upon reaching the tehsil, he started to vomit, and was taken to hospital, where he died. Action will be taken against anyone found guilty," the ADM assured, emphasizing that the process was legally mandated.
Police Complaint Filed and Investigation Underway
In response to the incident, Firoz Pathan approached the Quarsi police station and filed a complaint against five unnamed persons. SHO Narender Sharma confirmed, "The man's son filed a police complaint which is being looked into. Investigation is on." The body has been sent for postmortem, and further action will depend on the report's findings.
Officials revealed that Khan had purchased a plot using financial assistance from the private firm, and a process to auction his property had been initiated but not completed, leading to repeated court reminders for recovery.
Broader Implications and Community Concerns
This incident raises serious questions about loan recovery practices and the treatment of individuals in custody, particularly those from economically vulnerable backgrounds. The conflicting narratives between the family and officials underscore the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to ascertain the truth and ensure accountability.
As the probe continues, the community in Aligarh and beyond watches closely, hoping for justice and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. The case highlights the delicate balance between legal enforcement and human rights in financial recovery operations.
