In a major decision following scathing criticism by opposition parties, the Election Commission has said voters can get verified in the electoral rolls as part of the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar even without submitting the mandatory documents. If the documents are not given, the Electoral Registrar Officer will carry out verification based on investigation at the local level. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is being carried out months ahead of the Assembly elections in Bihar, has been criticised by the opposition, which has said crores of voters risk being left out and even termed the exercise a "conspiracy" to ensure the BJP wins. One of the key sticking points for the opposition is the fact that the Election Commission (EC) made submitting at least one of 11 documents a must for verification. The documents being accepted include birth certificates, passports, identity cards or pension payment orders issued to government employees or pensioners, perman...
In a case of alleged usury and harassment, a 33-year-old small entrepreneur, Vikram, died by suicide in Puducherry, after he was unable to cope with relentless pressure from private moneylenders charging exorbitant interest. Vikram, who also worked at a chicken shop to support his family, had become immobile after an accident-leaving him unable to repay loans.
According to police sources, Vikram left a suicide note naming several moneylenders who, he said, drove him to take the extreme step. The letter mentions shocking instances of harassment and alleged exploitation, including a deeply offensive demand by one moneylender, who allegedly told Vikram to send his wife and daughter to his house until the dues were cleared.
In the note, Vikram reportedly wrote that for a loan of Rs 3.8 lakh, he was paying Rs 38,000 per month as interest, a staggering 10% monthly interest rate. Another moneylender, he alleged, demanded Rs 6,000 in interest every month for a Rs 30,000 loan.
The harassment reportedly intensified after Vikram became bedridden following the accident, pushing him and his family into a spiral of debt, fear, and desperation.
Vikram was a local functionary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political outfit recently launched by actor Vijay. In his note, he made a heart-wrenching appeal to the actor to look after his wife and daughter, underscoring the depth of his helplessness.
Police have launched an investigation into the allegations and are verifying the identities and activities of the named moneylenders. No arrests have been made so far.
The case has reignited concerns over unchecked usury in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where informal lending networks often operate beyond legal limits, especially targeting small entrepreneurs and vulnerable families.
Authorities have promised a thorough probe, and Vikram's death has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for immediate action to curb illegal moneylending and provide justice to the victim's family.
| Helplines | |
|---|---|
| Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health | 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com |
| TISS iCall | 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) |
| (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) | |
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