5 minors held for assault, usury

Hubballi: Bendigeri police have apprehended five minors who are facing charges of allegedly assaulting and harassing individuals while collecting loans and interest, said police commissioner N Shashikumar.
On Monday, Shashikumar stated, “Cases of extortion, kidnapping, and violation of the Arms Act have been registered against them. They will be presented before the Juvenile Justice Board.”
He said that a 15-year-old student from St Hamza School in Millath Nagar, Mantur Road, was attacked by an SSLC student of the same school on Sunday evening.During investigation, the boy who attacked the SSLC student revealed that he had taken a hand loan of Rs 10,000 and was paying Rs 1,000 per week as interest.
On Saturday, a group of 10-12 individuals kidnapped the boy, held him captive for two hours, and physically assaulted him. They subsequently contacted his father, forced him to sign a bond, and then freed the boy.
Shashikumar said, “Some members of the group called the boy again, and during a subsequent altercation in Madina Colony, the boy stabbed another boy, who is an SSLC student.”
He said the minors involved in the dispute were engaged in collecting loans and interest. The authorities have obtained information about those who provided loans at exorbitant interest rates, and they will be taken into custody for interrogation. He added, “Some individuals in Karki Basaveshwar Nagar have been lending money to small business owners and using juveniles for loan and interest recovery. The father of the boy involved in this case has filed a complaint.”
Shashikumar issued a stern warning to those involved in usury, urging them to cease their activities immediately. He emphasised that police have received information about some individuals charging excessive interest and harassing borrowers when they fail to make payments. He said strict action will be taken against such offenders.