Pune: Rickshaw Driver’s Suicide Sparks Protest March Against Illegal Moneylenders in Pimpri-Chinchwad

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Pune, 16th January 2025: A protest march led by social activist Dr. Baba Adhav is scheduled for 17th January in Pimpri-Chinchwad, demanding justice for Raju Rajbhar, a rickshaw driver who committed suicide due to alleged harassment by moneylenders. The demonstrators will call for action against illegal moneylenders and finance companies involved in unlawful recovery practices.

Protesters claim that Rajbhar, the sole breadwinner of his family, took his own life on 3rd January 2025 in Chinchwad, leaving behind a college-going son, a school-aged daughter, his wife, and an elderly, disabled mother. Before his death, Rajbhar recorded a video and wrote a letter detailing the pressure and threats he faced from moneylenders.

Protesters are saying that, despite substantial evidence, two of the accused have been released on bail, while two others remain at large. The police’s handling of the case has come under scrutiny, with allegations of negligence and a suspicious role in the investigation.

The march, organized by the Rickshaw Panchayat, will begin at 10 AM from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Pimpri and proceed to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) in Premlok Park, Chinchwad. Participants will include rickshaw drivers and Rajbhar’s relatives.

During a recent meeting of the Rickshaw Panchayat, members highlighted the broader issue of financial distress among low-income groups. They cited difficulties in obtaining bank loans, forcing many to turn to unregulated finance companies and moneylenders who often use aggressive and illegal recovery tactics.

The protesters are demanding stricter regulation of finance companies, action against illegal moneylenders, and a more supportive approach from law enforcement when handling complaints from borrowers. This incident has shed light on the ongoing struggles of many in the informal sector who fall prey to predatory lending practices, often with tragic consequences.