News Tamil Nadu

Salem: Bank Holds Debtor’s Wife Hostage Until Loan Repayment

May 2, 2024
The Commune

A disturbing incident unfolded when an employee of a private bank in Vazhappadi, Salem district, took the wife of a laborer to the bank and only released her after her husband paid the installment of a loan he had taken. This action sparked widespread condemnation and was deemed outrageous by internet users.

It has been revealed that the wife was held in the private bank until 7:30 PM and the money was collected from her husband.

Prashanth, aged 27 and residing in Thukkiyampalayam near Vazhapadi, Salem district, works as a construction worker. He had borrowed ₹35,000 from a bank in Vazhapadi four months ago due to family issues.

Reportedly, the loan was taken with a weekly repayment of ₹770, to be paid in 52 installments. It appears that there are still 10 weeks of installments remaining. According to reports, when a female employee named Subha from the private bank tried to contact Prasanth by phone on 30 April 2024, he did not answer. Consequently, the female employee went to Prashanth’s residence to collect the installment in person and waited there since the afternoon. Subha then took Gauri Shankari to the bank branch, stating that if Prashanth wasn’t at home, she should accompany her, and her husband could retrieve her after paying the installment.

Upon learning of this, Prashanth was shocked and lodged a complaint with Deputy Superintendent of Police Anand at the Vazhappadi Police Station when Gauri Shankari contacted him via cellphone, urging him to pay the installment and retrieve her promptly. In response to the complaint, the Vazhappadi police, under the orders of Deputy Superintendent of Police Anand, personally intervened and questioned the bank manager, asking if the bank had permission to operate until 8 PM. The manager claimed ignorance and stated that he was unaware of the directive to pay the loan installment and retrieve Prashanth’s wife.

At 7:30 PM last night, Prashanth paid ₹770 in the presence of the police and rescued his wife, Gauri Shankari. Following this, the police proceeded to interrogate both parties.

While the Reserve Bank had previously instructed that customers should not be harassed for money after 6 PM, the public expects strict action against the bank that detained the woman until 7:30 PM to collect money from her husband.

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