A distressed farmer from Chandrapur district in Maharashtra has alleged that a loan of just Rs. 1 lakh taken from moneylenders spiralled into an unbearable debt of Rs. 74 lakh, forcing him to sell his kidney in a desperate attempt to escape harassment and threats.
The farmer, identified as Roshan Sadashiv, said he had taken the loan to start a small dairy farm after agriculture failed to provide sustainable income. He borrowed Rs. 50,000 each from two private moneylenders, but was charged exorbitant daily interest, which he alleged amounted to Rs. 10,000 per day. Over time, the interest mounted rapidly, pushing the outstanding amount to Rs. 74 lakh.
To repay the debt, Roshan said he sold his two acres of agricultural land, tractor, two-wheelers and household jewellery. Despite liquidating all his assets, the moneylenders allegedly continued to demand repayment and threatened him and his family.
Under intense pressure, Roshan claimed he was taken to Cambodia through an intermediary, where he sold one of his kidneys for Rs. 8 lakh. Even after this, he alleged, the moneylenders insisted that the debt had not been cleared and continued to harass him.
Roshan has lodged a complaint with the police seeking protection and action against the loan shark gang. He alleged that no effective steps were taken despite repeated representations.
Stating that he has been pushed to the brink, the farmer warned that if justice is denied, he would end his life along with his family in front of the State Secretariat at Mantralaya in Mumbai. The incident has sparked concern over illegal moneylending practices and the plight of farmers trapped in debt.
