Sonepat police launch crackdown on usurers, raid 60 locations

In a major crackdown on illegal moneylenders, Sonepat police on Tuesday raided 60 locations across the city, recovering a large cache of property registries, affidavits, blank cheques and other documents from usurers accused of exploiting the needy.

ADGP and Commissioner of Police Mamta Singh said the campaign was launched to curb usury, where money is lent at exorbitant rates. “The Sonepat police have launched a special drive against the usurers, who lent money to the needy at high interest rates,” she said.

Narender Kadyan, DCP (Crime), said the raids were part of a district-wide anti-usury campaign ordered by the Director General of Police. “Following the DGP’s directions, 15 police teams raided 22 locations in Gohana on August 26. Continuing the drive, 30 teams carried out raids at 60 locations in Sonepat on Tuesday,” he said.

According to police, the usurers targeted vulnerable people, charging interest rates between 5 and 20%. Before lending, they allegedly took blank cheques, property papers, affidavits, diaries or even jewellery as collateral. “When borrowers failed to repay on time, these usurers tortured them physically and mentally. In some cases, victims even committed suicide,” Kadyan said.

ADGP Mamta Singh directed officers to identify such usurers, attach their illegal earnings and properties, and take strict legal action. “The people should be made aware by linking the campaign to public interest,” she maintained.