Assam: SHG members allege Rs 20 lakh loan fraud in Nagaon's Batadrava, FIRs filed

A major financial fraud has allegedly surfaced in Batadrava in Assam's Nagaon district, where members of three Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have accused their office bearers of fraudulently availing loans worth nearly Rs 20 lakh in the groups' names without their knowledge.

 

According to the complainants, six women, allegedly in collusion with the branch manager of the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, orchestrated the fraud by securing loans under the names of the SHGs. Members of the affected groups have filed separate FIRs seeking legal action.

 

The allegations involve three SHGs—Rifa, Bijuli and Moina Mahila Self-Help Groups—from Dhaniyabhati and Kowaikata areas of Batadrava. Members claim that the presidents and secretaries of the groups, with the alleged assistance of the bank's branch manager, obtained loans without informing or obtaining consent from the other members.

 

The alleged fraud came to light only after the members received loan repayment notices from the bank, leaving them shocked as they were unaware that any loans had been sanctioned in their names.

 

The complainants have also alleged that they never received the Rs 10,000 financial assistance meant for them under a government women entrepreneurship scheme.

 

The SHG members have demanded a thorough police investigation and strict legal action against the accused, identified as Mousina Sultana, Monjuwara Khatun, Zainab Begum, Reshma Khatun and Muksina Khatun. They have further urged the authorities to ensure that innocent SHG members are freed from the alleged loan liabilities.