Kolhapur : A Rs 9 lakh loan cost a Kolhapur farmer Rs 25 lakh, and ultimately, his life, his wife said, accusing a private moneylender of harassment. Police have booked the private moneylender for abetment to suicide, though his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Police said 48-year-old Shridhar Davare, a resident of Sonage village in Kagal, died on Saturday after allegedly consuming weedicide on Sept 23. She alleged that her husband had borrowed Rs 9 lakh from him and repaid a total of Rs 25 lakh over the past five years. Police have registered a case under BNS sections 108, 115(2) and 351(1), along with sections 39 and 45 of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014.
In a text message to his wife, Savita, before taking the extreme step, Davare asked her to look after their son, she told police. Police found two notes in Davare’s pockets, which are suspected to be dying declarations. Following his death, Savita lodged a complaint against the private moneylender. Despite this, she alleged, the lender continued demanding more money, claiming that the loan and interest had not been fully repaid. She also accused him of harassing and physically assaulting Davare over the dues.