The impact of debt can be severe, but the situation took a tragic turn in Sirajbad village in Sakra block of Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district when a father succumbed to a heart attack after facing threats over unpaid loans. Mohammad Akbar Ali, an ice cream vendor, had borrowed a total of Rs 6 lakh from multiple sources, including seven companies, to fund his daughters’ marriages and other expenses. His debts included Rs 1.31 lakh from two banks, Rs 2.20 lakh from another bank, and additional amounts from other financial entities.
The situation escalated when debt collectors began pressuring him relentlessly. On Monday, August 26, they arrived at his house demanding an immediate payment of Rs 6,000, further intensifying his distress. The mounting pressure and threats reportedly led to Akbar Ali’s heart attack, highlighting the severe human cost of financial strain.
Ali’s younger son, Anwarul, said that company employees would visit them daily to demand repayment of the loan, threatening that if the debt wasn’t settled, they would take his daughter as repayment. They would insist that she come to their office, and even suggested extreme measures such as selling livestock or even selling their blood to gather the funds. The harassment extended to public insults directed at his daughter, contributing to the unbearable stress that ultimately led to Akbar Ali’s fatal heart attack.
Anwarul said that the family was required to pay around Rs 44,000 each month in interest and loan installments. The collectors demanded payment even for a delay of just one hour, which severely strained the family’s finances.
To manage the burden, the father sold ice cream, the elder brother worked as a labourer in another state, the mother did sewing work, and the younger brother worked at a clothing store. Despite their efforts, they had to find Rs 12,000 each week to meet the loan requirements, causing significant stress.
On March 9, 2019, even a delay of one hour resulted in an additional Rs 200 charge, marked in red ink in the loan account.
Commenting on the incident, SHO Raju Pal said that they received information about the situation via phone. The family chose not to conduct a post-mortem, but assured that action would be taken if a formal complaint is filed.
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