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.)
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Drug peddler's property worth Rs 1 crore attached in Srinagar
Srinagar (PTI): Property worth Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler was on Saturday attached in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, police said.
A double-storey house on eight marlas of land situated at Wantpora Eidgah, belonging to Basit Bilal Dar, a notorious drug peddler, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, a police spokesperson said.
He said Dar is involved in two cases registered under various sections of the NDPS Act.
During investigation, it was established that the accused had acquired the said property through illicit proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities, the spokesperson said.
Consequently, the property was attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The attachment proceedings were conducted in the presence of the two independent witnesses, strictly in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures, he said.
As per the attachment order, the owner has been restrained from selling, leasing, transferring, altering, or creating any third-party interest in the property till further orders, the spokesperson added.
