Belagavi
In Islampura village of Hukkeri taluk, a farmer named Raju Khotagi took his own life allegedly due to distress caused by a loan repayment issue involving his wife and son. The incident occurred in the Yamakanamaradi constituency.
Raju Khotagi, the deceased farmer, had borrowed Rs 1.5 lakh from a woman named Siddavva five months ago, agreeing to a 10 percent interest rate per month for maintenance purposes. Two days prior to the incident, Siddavva summoned Raju to her home and demanded repayment of the loan. Raju requested a few days’ extension, but Siddavva refused and insisted that Raju leave his son with her until the debt was settled.
Later that day, Raju and his wife, Durgavva, visited Siddavva’s house to retrieve their son, but were allegedly detained against their will, leaving only their son, Basavaraj, free. The following day, Raju was found distraught at home and had consumed poison, leading to his untimely demise.
Raju had reportedly pledged his crops, grown during a severe drought, as collateral for the loan from Siddavva. The delay in repayment allegedly led to mistreatment from Siddavva. It has been alleged that the police did not take appropriate action against Siddavva despite complaints of her unjust treatment.
Durgavva, now a widow, and her family have accused the Yamakanamaradi Police station of delaying their complaint and keeping them at the station since morning, only filing their report late at night.
