Loan sharking victims plead for justice

BARA, July 14: A woman affected by loan sharking appealed directly to Home Minister Sudan Gurung for justice, saying predatory lending had cost her both her husband and her land.

During a grievance hearing with victims in Nijgadh, Bara, Gurung listened to the emotional testimony of Shyam Kumari Thakur of Mangalpur, Dhanushadham Municipality, Dhanusha. Thakur said she borrowed Rs 350,000 from local moneylender Shivji Yadav and transferred ownership of her two-kattha plot of land as collateral. Despite repaying Rs 900,000—including principal and interest—Yadav allegedly refused to return the land.

Thakur recounted that when her husband, Bhogendra Thakur, demanded the land back, he was beaten to death by the moneylender. She said she sought justice through the Dhanusha District Police Office and the district court, but no action was taken. “I now struggle even for food and shelter after losing both my husband and my land,” she told the minister.

Thakur was among nearly 100 victims who presented grievances during the first phase of the hearing. Gurung listened to complaints from 9:30 a.m. until around 3:00 p.m. at the Nijgadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry hall before moving to Simara for internal discussions at Classic Hotel.

Security officials said the minister’s discussions focused on measures to address the demands raised during the five-and-a-half-hour session. Victims submitted a written six-point memorandum calling for cancellation of fraudulent documents, enactment of a special law, establishment of a dedicated tribunal and return of confiscated property.

They also urged the government to declare invalid, through a Cabinet decision, all fraudulent documents related to loan sharking—including promissory notes, mortgage deeds, property transfer registrations, and forged cheques.

Gurung assured the victims that anyone found guilty of exploitation—including leaders or members of his own party—would face legal action. He urged victims to call the police emergency number 100 if threatened, promising immediate detention of perpetrators.

The hearing was attended by Bara Chief District Officer Dharmendra Mishra, Bara Police Chief Narendra Kunwar, Madhesh Province Police Chief DIG Om Adhikari, Armed Police Force Madhesh Province DIG Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, and other security officials.

The group of victims, who had begun a march from Janakpur to Kathmandu, reached Nijgadh on the fourth day of their journey. Gurung met them there ahead of their planned departure for Kathmandu on the fifth day to hear grievances and discuss possible solutions.