I had availed a loan of Rs 18 lakh to purchase a truck. Till date, I have paid more than Rs 24 lakh including interest to the bank. However, according to the bank authorities, I have to still pay Rs 9 lakh more.”
Basavaraj Rajendra Shirane
Belagavi man consumes poison after harassment by bank
Struggling for life in hospital
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
At a time when banks have been accused of going slow on Vijay Mallya and other willful defaulters, a 42-year-old man from Belagavi who consumed poison due to harassment from bankers is struggling for his life.
Basavaraj Rajendra Shirane attempted suicide following alleged harassment from the bank to recover the loan he had availed and is now on the ventilators in a hospital, struggling for life.
According to sources, Shirane of Kanbargi had consumed poison before going to a private bank and on suspecting something foul, bank authorities informed the police.
Following an inquiry, the police found an empty poison bottle in his pocket and Shirane was rushed to the district hospital.
Speaking to media persons, Shirane, who was still consciousness in the district hospital, said he had availed a loan of Rs 18 lakh to purchase a truck. “Till date, I have paid more than Rs 24 lakh including interest to the bank. However, according to the bank authorities, I have to still pay Rs 9 lakh more,” he said.
Shirane complained that the bank has seized his truck, making it difficult for him to run his transport business, through which he was repaying the loan.
“The bank had given a deadline of Monday to repay the pending amount only after which the truck would be released,” he said, adding that several requests to bank officials to release the truck or release an additional business loan fell on deaf ears.
With little hope in sight, Shirane said he had no other option but to commit suicide as he felt that it would be impossible to repay his loan unless his truck is released.
Shirane is still not out of danger, while a team of doctors is trying to save his life. A case is registered at Malmaruti police station.
