A 50-year-old autorickshaw driver from Rajkot has taken a stand against alleged illegal moneylenders by filing a formal police complaint, accusing them of harassment and operating outside the law. The case, registered at the Bhaktinagar police station, highlights the persistent issue of unregulated lending in the region.
Details of the Alleged Loan Agreements
The complainant, identified as Sattar Patani, detailed his financial dealings with the three accused: Kulsum Memon, Hanif, and Yuvraj Dangar. According to his statement to the police, his troubles began two years ago when he initially borrowed Rs 25,000 from Memon to repair his autorickshaw's engine.
Over time, this borrowing escalated, and Patani claims to have taken a total of Rs 3 lakh from Kulsum Memon. This loan came with a steep monthly interest rate of 10%, requiring him to pay a hefty Rs 30,000 as interest every month. Patani stated that he managed to pay this interest regularly for a period of two years.
Harassment After Payment Default
The situation took a turn for the worse in the last three months. Facing financial difficulties, Patani found himself unable to continue the interest payments. It was then, he alleges, that Memon began visiting his residence repeatedly to demand the money, leading to significant distress.
Patani's complaint also involved two other lenders. He stated that over the past two years, he borrowed Rs 20,000 from a person named Hanif under a daily collection diary system. Despite the relatively small principal amount, Patani claims to have already repaid a staggering Rs 1.5 lakh to Hanif.
In a similar arrangement about nine months ago, he borrowed Rs 30,000 from the third accused, Yuvraj Dangar. Patani reported paying interest on this sum regularly as well.
Legal Action Under Gujarat Moneylenders Act
Fed up with the constant pressure, Sattar Patani approached the Bhaktinagar police and filed a formal complaint. The case has been registered under the provisions of the Gujarat Moneylenders Act.
In his complaint, Patani alleged that all three accused engaged in repeated harassment, pressuring him relentlessly to pay the interest. The police are now investigating the claims of illegal moneylending and the subsequent harassment faced by the autorickshaw driver.
This case brings to light the severe challenges individuals face when trapped in cycles of debt with unregulated lenders, often leading to exploitation and mental anguish. It serves as a reminder of the legal recourse available to victims under state-specific acts designed to curb such practices.
