Call money racket: They did not want to die, but took their own lives after a family photograph

Chittoor, Dec 18: It seemed to be any other day for the family of four of 36-year-old Siva Kumar, who is a resident of Diguvanagulavaripalle village in Chittoor district.

After taking is family to the Aiyappa temple, they took a ride to the nearby Errajivaripalem village. Enroute, they posed for a family photograph by the banks of the Sitamma lake. That was it! They jumped into the water to their death after that.

[What is Call-Money-Sex scam that rocked Andhra Pradesh: Explained]

Although villagers tried to save the four- Siva Kumar, his wife Leelavathi (30) and their two children Naveen (8) and Kavya (6) - but were unsuccessful. Their bodies were found in the evening.

THis is one of a case of the fate of call money lending racket that has spread across Andhra Pradesh like wild fire. A trend when money can be lent over the phone where the lender carries the money to the borrowers house, along with a promisory note. The interest rate, however, ranges between 120% to 200%. Likewise, the lender can also demand the money back over the phone at any time. And if the borrower cannot pay, life and property is at stake.

During raids in Krishna, Guntur, Kadapa, Prakasam and East Godavari, police have also found deep-rooted associations with politicians and bureaucrats. It was also discovered how moneylenders forced women into prostitution when they were not paid the money on demand.

Facing the ire of the media for shielding top leaders associated with the scam, the TDP government has ordered an inquiry into the racket.

OneIndia News