Hyderabad: Private money lenders from Arsh Mahal attacked a man named Md. Nayeem brutally a few days ago as he was returning from mosque after prayers. Nayeem’s leg was fractured and his fingers also broke.
They also attacked him with stones on the head resulting in a blood clot in the brain. Nayeem slipped into coma for three days after being admitted to Osmania General Hospital.
He is recovering but has suffered brain damage, and is having trouble with his memory. Md Nayeem, 40, was an auto driver and had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from one Shehnaz Begum and her associates in 2012. He kept on paying the interest of Rs 3,000 for two years.
But when he was unable to pay the interest he requested them to waive his interest and give some time for returning the principal. Shehnaz Begum became angry and told this to her husband.
Later, he decided to take the money from the victim forcibly and with four others attacked Md. Nayeem. Rajendernagar police has booked a case under Section 324 against the culprits.
However, they have acquired bail now and are roaming free. They are also threatening to seize our house if we don’t pay Rs 1,20,000, said the victim’s brother.
He added, “Since 20 days we are living in fear as the money lenders roam freely in front of our house. My brother’s children are also unable to go to school. I have to take care of the entire family now.”
“This incident has once again highlighted the high handedness of private money lenders who are collecting exorbitant interest from people. The poor are forced to borrow money from money lenders to run their small businesses as the government has no mechanism to support them,” said Mr Md. Afzal, an advocate.
He noted, “If loans meant for minorities are sanctioned to these daily wage workers their lives would have been completely different. They wouldn’t have had to live at the mercy of cut throat money lenders.”
