Thenmozhi was part of self-help women’s group in Thiruvannamalai. Her husband had a Kidney operation. For this medical expense, Thenmozhi got a loan of Rs. 27000 from HDFC’s self-help group.
She had been paying the loan-installments until recently. For the past couple of months, because of undue financial strain, she was unable to make the monthly payments.
The collection agents deployed by the HDFC bank started harassing her in multiple ways, all of them in direct violation of the Supreme Court’s orders.
Yesterday, the thugs that the Bank sent visited Mrs. Thenmozhi’s house. They abused her with foul language in front of her daughters and neighbors.
Even as the harassment by HDFC bank’s uncouth collection agents continued, Thenmozhi ran into her room and shut the door. The rowdies assumed that she had gone to bring money. However Thenmozhi hanged herself and committed suicide. After 30 minutes, when this was discovered, the rowdies that caused this unholy death went away.
Neighbors and activists are believed to be quite upset about this death. Mrs. Thenmozhi was supporting her sick husband and two children. Now with her death a family will suffer needlessly. All because a private bank called HDFC harassed this woman in complete violation of the Supreme Court’s orders.
Social activists are keen to know if any action will be taken against the bank. Or if we have to assume that lives of the poor and middle-class don’t matter.