Man’s death reignites concern over re-entry of unlawful money lending businesses

The unnatural death of a 52-year-old man from Kuttikkattoor, following alleged threats from a suspected gang of illegal moneylenders, has reignited concerns over the re-entry of unlawful moneylending businesses that were shut nearly 10 years ago following the Operation Kubera special drive by the police in Kozhikode district.

The family members of K.M. Krishnan, who was found dead on April 6, claimed that there were attempts to extort nearly ₹3.5 lakh from him for borrowing ₹15,000 a year ago. Krishnan’s wife Prathibha and son Abhay Krishnan also sought police intervention to examine the mobile phone of the deceased and identify those behind the alleged loan trap.

They told the police that there were intimidating calls and direct threats demanding repayment of the high-interest loan. According to them, Krishnan had paid more than the amount he had borrowed from the lenders.