The death of a young dental student in Kannur has cast a harsh light on the growing menace of predatory loan apps. Despite periodic crackdowns by enforcement authorities, the ecosystem of loan apps continues to evolve, leaving several vulnerable to such exploitation in Kerala.
The deceased, Nithin Raj R.L., a first-year BDS student, had reportedly taken a loan of around ₹14,000 through an online app, following which he is suspected to have been subjected to relentless intimidation. Nithin is suspected to have borrowed the money between December last and January. In the weeks that followed, recovery agents allegedly began to contact him repeatedly.
Mounting more pressure on Nithin, they also purportedly directed calls and messages to a college teacher in an attempt to shame the youngster and coerce repayment.
Mother’s treatment
Nithin’s father Y.L. Rajan confirmed that his son had taken the loan to help cover his mother’s medical treatment. While some reports suggest that the recovery agents were pressing for immediate repayment of around ₹8,000, investigators say such details are still being verified.
