A shocking incident from Maharashtra's Chandrapur district has shaken the entire state. A farmer from Minthur village in Nagbhid taluka, Roshan Sadashiv Kude, was allegedly forced to sell his kidney to repay mounting debt. The case not only highlights the brutal recovery practices of moneylenders but also exposes the deep distress of rural farmers and the apparent apathy of the administration.
Roshan Kude owns four acres of agricultural land, which has been the sole source of livelihood for his family. Repeated natural calamities and crop failures turned farming into a loss-making venture. In an attempt to supplement his income, he ventured into dairy farming and borrowed ₹50,000 from two moneylenders. However, misfortune struck again, the cows he purchased died, and his crops failed as well.
As losses mounted, the burden of debt continued to grow. Pressure from moneylenders intensified, forcing Roshan to sell two acres of land, followed by his tractor and household belongings. Despite these sacrifices, the debt remained unpaid. It is alleged that the initial loan of ₹50,000 ballooned to an astonishing ₹74 lakh due to exorbitant interest.
Eventually, one of the moneylenders allegedly advised Roshan to sell his kidney to clear the debt. Through an agent, he was taken to Kolkata, where medical tests were conducted and his kidney was surgically removed. In return, he received ₹8 lakh, an amount that still fell short of clearing the total liability.
Roshan Kude claims he approached the local police station and later the Superintendent of Police, but no concrete action was taken. He believes that timely intervention by the authorities could have prevented this extreme step.
According to him, debt has stripped him from land, his assets, and now a vital organ.
The incident has sparked sharp political and social reactions. The newspaper Saamana described the episode as a blot on humanity and strongly criticised the government. The article pointed out that farmers across India are burdened with nearly ₹12 lakh crore in debt, while Maharashtra alone accounts for about ₹8.38 lakh crore. It questioned why massive loan waivers are extended to industrialists, while farmers continue to struggle without meaningful relief.
The article also raised concerns over the growing dominance of moneylenders in rural areas. More than bank loans, the exploitative compound interest charged by moneylenders is pushing farmers towards financial ruin and suicide. Turning a loan of ₹1 lakh into ₹74 lakh, it said, amounts to institutionalised exploitation.
