In a significant development following weeks of mounting public pressure, the Maharashtra government has finally intervened in the distressing case of a Chandrapur farmer who claimed he was forced to sell his kidney to clear crippling debts. The state's action, which came after a 25-day delay, marks a critical turn in an alleged case intertwining usurious money lending and organ trafficking.
Ministerial Visit and Government Assurance
On Friday, Guardian Minister Dr. Ashok Uike led a high-level delegation to Minthoor village in Nagbhid taluka to meet the farmer, Roshan Kule (36), at his residence. The official entourage included MLA Kirtikumar alias Bunty Bhangdiya, District Collector Dr. Vinay Gowda, Additional Superintendent of Police Ishwar Katkade, the district registrar, and other senior officials.
MLA Bhangdiya announced that the government has initiated legal proceedings to recover all property and money allegedly taken from Kule under coercion. The comprehensive recovery plan includes:
- Restoring four acres of farmland allegedly seized forcibly.
- Retrieving gold ornaments pledged against the loans.
- Returning Rs 16 lakh in cash discovered in frozen bank accounts belonging to the accused moneylenders.
- Court proceedings to recover two tractors taken during forced repayments.
Bhangdiya appealed to all political parties to refrain from politicising the sensitive issue, asserting the administration's commitment to delivering justice to Kule.
Political Pressure and Public Agitation
The case was first brought to light by Prahar Janshakti Party chief Bachchu Kadu, who visited Minthur and threatened agitation if justice was delayed. His warning culminated in a massive protest on January 3, where he led a 10-km march from Minthur to the Nagbhid tehsil office, joined by thousands of farmers. This demonstration is widely seen as the trigger that compelled the state government to act.
During the minister's visit, journalists asked Kule to identify the political leader who had allegedly pressured him to withdraw his complaint—a claim he had made earlier. However, Kule refrained from naming the 'big neta' in the presence of Dr. Uike. He reiterated his plea to keep the issue free from politics, stating that his only demand was justice. He later expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the government and administration to restore his assets.
Path to Justice and Ongoing Probe
The government's response has set in motion a formal Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Kule's ordeal, which is linked to alleged usurious lending practices and a possible organ trafficking racket. The visit and the announced actions represent a direct attempt to address the systemic issues of predatory lending that plague farmers in the region.
While the restoration of assets is a crucial first step, the SIT investigation will be pivotal in uncovering the full extent of the alleged network behind the forced kidney sale and bringing all perpetrators to justice. The case has underscored the vulnerabilities of farmers to exploitative financial practices and the power of sustained public outrage in prompting administrative action.
