Madurai woman dies by suicide after alleged harassment by moneylenders; one arrested
A 41-year-old woman, R. Prema, a resident of Sellur in Madurai, died by suicide on July 13 after allegedly facing harassment from four moneylenders, police said. The woman had borrowed approximately ₹2 lakh from the accused in 2021.
According to police, Prema worked as a vegetable vendor and at a shop near Teppakulam. She had been repaying the loan in instalments, but in recent months she was unable to keep up with the payments. The moneylenders then allegedly subjected her to abusive language and intimidation, which compelled her to take her own life.
Prema was admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital after the incident and succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday. In her dying declaration recorded before a Judicial Magistrate, she named four individuals: Tirupathi, Selva Kalaiyarasi (36), Bhavavathi, and Angammal.
Police have arrested Selva Kalaiyarasi in connection with the case. Based on a complaint filed by Prema's husband, S. Rajaram, the Vilakkuthoon police registered a case on Sunday against the accused under charges of criminal intimidation, and under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003.
The case highlights the issue of predatory lending and harassment by unregulated moneylenders, which the Tamil Nadu government has sought to curb through specific legislation. The authorities are investigating the matter further.
