Man dies by suicide after 'harassment' by microfinance companies in Haveri
Haveri (Karnataka), Feb 3 (PTI): A 42-year-old man died by suicide in this district following 'harassment' by microfinance companies, police said on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Malatesh, ran a barber shop, they said.
The incident occurred on Sunday night within the Rane Bennur police station limits.
He died by hanging, due to "harassment" by various microfinance companies from whom he had borrowed money over time, they added.
The victim's family alleges that he had collectively borrowed around Rs 6.45 lakh from four microfinance companies.
Despite repaying the amounts in instalments, he was "harassed" by these companies, prompting him to take such an extreme step.
A case has been registered under section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the BNS against the four microfinance companies, police said, adding that the case is under investigation.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the government had planned an ordinance to stop the 'torture' of the poor by microfinance companies in the name of 'loan recovery'.
"Our government will not allow microfinance companies to take the law into their own hands and torture the poor using hooligans. We will give more power to the police to handle this," he said.
Asked about the ongoing 'torture' despite government warnings, he said, "Many FIRs have been filed against microfinance companies in Belagavi, Bidar, Mysuru, and Ramanagara. The chief minister and the cooperative ministers have already issued stern warnings in this regard."
"An ordinance is ready and will be sent to the Governor in a couple of days. We have also started helplines in every district headquarters. The chief minister will also hold meetings on this with senior police officials," he added.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
