Nanded — Five people, including the main accused, have been arrested in the case of a 40-year-old farmer who was found dead at the office of a private finance company in Maharashtra's Nanded district, Nanded Superintendent of Police Nilabh Rohan told news agency ANI. “Till now, we have arrested a total of five accused in the case. We have also arrested Aslam, the main accused who was running this entire finance operation,” the SP said.

Source: ANI via Latestly

Rohan said police have formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case. He said two more accused were arrested in Navi Mumbai and police teams have been sent to different locations to trace other suspects. The finance company's office has been sealed and raids have been conducted at three locations, according to the SP.

Source: ANI via DevDiscourse

Family's allegation; cause of death not disclosed

The deceased, Chandrakant Shinde, was a resident of Malkotha village in Mudkhed tehsil. His family and villagers allege that recovery agents associated with the finance company kidnapped him over loan dues three days before he was found dead. Those are allegations: the circumstances of his death remain under investigation, and when asked whether it was a suicide or a murder, Rohan declined to disclose details. Responding to allegations that recovery agents had been arrested while the main accused remained at large, the SP termed the claim false and said police were working to arrest everyone involved.

Source: ANI via APNA MA TV

Collector meeting — and a word from the Chief Minister

Asked whether guidelines had been issued to finance companies on loan recovery from farmers in drought-affected areas, Rohan said no official guidelines had been issued. “However, we have held a meeting with the District Collector. If illegal loan recovery is taking place anywhere, citizens should come forward, and appropriate action will be taken,” he said. Several villages in parts of Nanded district are reportedly facing drought conditions.

Source: ANI via APNA MA TV

The case was also cited in Mumbai on October 27, when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking after a state cabinet meeting, said the government had talked to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) about recovery practices: “For loan recovery also, we have talked to the RBI that forcible recovery from farmers by microfinance companies should be stopped.” Fadnavis said Rs 5,000 in Diwali relief would start reaching farmers' accounts in two days. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said farmers would also receive the 12 kinds of benefits that follow a drought declaration, and that a provision of Rs 7,500 crore had been made.

Source: ANI via NewKerala

Shinde is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons and his mother. Police said further investigation is under way.

Source: ANI via APNA MA TV