Odisha tribal women cheated of over Rs 25 lakh in 'loan scam'; accuse police of inaction

More than Rs 25 lakh was allegedly embezzled from tribal women in the Koraput district of Odisha after a couple formed a fake women’s group in their name and took loans on their behalf. 

The accused, identified as Nalini Bisoi and her husband Hrushikesh Bisoi of Panchada village under Kakiriguma police station limits, reportedly absconded after taking the money.

According to reports, the couple promised the women low-interest loans and collected their documents and fingerprints. Instead, they allegedly took out loans in their names and fled. 

Loans amounting to Rs 18,24,000 were taken under the name of women from Panchada village, Rs 13,20,000 from Bogeipadar village, and Rs 3,40,000 from Dengsilguda village.

What the Duped Women Allege:

Several daily wage worker women alleged that the couple forcibly took their fingerprint signatures to secure the loans. 

One villager alleged, “We went to the police twice regarding the matter, but they paid no heed.” 

Another woman said, “Nalini Bisoi asked us to take a group loan, but when we refused, she forcibly took our fingerprint signatures and took the loans.”

The alleged fraud came to light when officials from private loan firms arrived in the villages to collect instalments and the women discovered the scam. The victims then lodged a complaint at Kakiriguma police station.

Administration Promises Strict Action

The cheated women have threatened to block the National Highway if justice is not served.
 
Responding to the allegations, Koraput Collector and District Magistrate Manoj Satyawan Mahajan said, “Strict action will be taken, and we will ensure that no such scam takes place in future.”