Maharashtra Farmer Sells Kidney After Rs 1 Lakh Loan Escalates to Rs 74 Lakh Due to Predatory Lending

A Maharashtra farmer was compelled to travel to Cambodia and sell his kidney after his initial Rs 1 lakh loan spiraled to a staggering Rs 74 lakh due to exorbitant daily interest of Rs 10,000.

Roshan Sadashiv Kude, a farmer from Chandrapur district, had been experiencing persistent agricultural losses and decided to diversify into dairy farming. He borrowed a total of Rs 1 lakh from various local moneylenders to fund this venture.

Unfortunately, before his dairy business could become established, the cows he purchased died unexpectedly, and his crops failed simultaneously. This series of misfortunes plunged him into a severe debt trap, with moneylenders beginning to harass both Kude and his family members.

In desperate attempts to clear his debts, the farmer sold his land, tractor, and valuable household possessions. However, these sacrifices proved insufficient. When the debt remained outstanding, one of the moneylenders suggested that Kude sell his kidney. Following this advice, he connected with an agent who arranged for medical tests in Kolkata before facilitating his travel to Cambodia, where his kidney was surgically removed and sold for Rs 8 lakh.

Kude has alleged that despite filing a formal complaint, police authorities took no action, which exacerbated his mental and physical suffering. He has now threatened that if justice is not served, he and his family will resort to self-immolation in front of the Mantralaya in Mumbai, which serves as the state government headquarters.

The moneylenders involved in this case have been identified as Kishore Bawankule, Manish Kalbande, Laxman Urkude, Pradeep Bawankule, Sanjay Ballarpure and Laxman Borkar, all residing in Brahmapuri town.