'Goonda' banks make a killing in Bihar
Teacher commits suicide after agent harasses her to deposit money in one of the banks ran by the criminals.
By TNN |
NAUGACHHIA/PATNA: These are banks with a difference and probably unlikely to be robbed. Because these banks are run by criminals themselves across a swath of Bihar badlands and are known as ‘goonda’ banks.
You won’t find boards announcing the location nor will you find ads announcing deposit schemes, but ask around in Bhagalpur, Naugachhia and Katihar districts, and people will tell you where to find reps of these banks. These are agents who force people to deposit their hard-earned money. So much so that a teacher of Naugachhia burnt herself to death after getting regular threats from one such bank.
Sunanda Devi ended her life on Saturday night — three days before the nation celebrated Teacher’s Day on September 5. An FIR has been lodged in this connection against her colleague, Manoj Yadav, who allegedly doubled up as an agent of a ‘goonda’ bank. The case is based on Sunanda’s suicide note and her adopted son Raju Gupta’s statement, Naugachhia DSP Dinesh Kumar said.
Bihar police headquarters estimates that at least 22 such banks operate in Naugachhia, Bhagalpur and Katihar.
Operating under names such as Vikas Samiti, Luxmi Trade and New Saraswati Bank, they lend money to the needy at very high rates of interest. Looted and ransom money is deposited in these banks. Besides, common people are ‘‘forced’’ to deposit their money on the promise that it will be doubled in a few months. DSP Kumar says the evidence recovered from the house of Sunanda, daughter of local businessman Chamolal, indicates ever since
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she was transferred from Karhagola school at Katihar to Naugachhia, ‘goonda’ bank criminals had been trying to force her into making deposits. Her neighbours said Manoj — who is absconding — used to visit her.Manoj, police say, took more than Rs 3 lakh from her and wanted more. Deserted by her husband, Sunanda found it difficult to protect herself from Manoj. ‘‘Ye ilaaka aise logon se bhara hua hai aur goonda bank ke karobar mein rajneta bhee shareek hain (This area has many agents of goonda bank and politicians are involved in this money-minting game),’’ said a Naugachhia resident.
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