Unable to repay debt and fed up of scornful remarks by relatives and neighbours alike, an Ahmedabad-based couple jumped to their death in the Lakhtar Canal, Sunday.
A week ago, Hitesh Panchal, a resident of Bhawanpura Society in Chandlodia, wrote to his brother: “I am not in a position to repay the debt. The interest is too steep and far outweighs the initial sum
borrowed.”
The deceased owned a medical store. He borrowed Rs 4 lakh from one Jagdishbhai, two years ago, at the interest rate of Rs. 4,000 per day. For a while, Hitesh managed paying back at regular intervals. However, with business down, his income steadily declined. Thereon, started threats from the prime lender, who talked about seizing the house. In a bid, to escape the harassment, Hitesh further borrowed Rs 2 lakhs from one
Jitubhai, who lives in Vyaswadi.
However, soon realising that the yoke of borrowings was closing him in from all sides, and fed up of constant threats from lenders, Hitesh and his wife jumped into the Canal. Following recovery of the woman’s body, the Sola police has registered a case against the accused named in the suicide note. His The couple’s two-wheeler was found parked near Kadi Canal.
