Maharashtra Crime: Raigad Police Raid Licensed Moneylenders In Pen Over Illegal Lending, Coercion And High-Interest Exploitation

Navi Mumbai: In a major crackdown on illegal money lending, Raigad Police raided the residences and business premises of two licensed moneylenders in Pen taluka following complaints of exploitation and coercive recovery practices. Several incriminating documents were seized during the operation.

The action was taken against Suryakant Joma Patil (70) and his son Bharat Suryakant Patil (35), residents of Room Nos. 301 and 302, Aamantran Building, Godavarinagar, Chinchpada, Pen.

Citizens alleged that the duo were engaged in illegal moneylending, charging exorbitant interest rates, and harassing borrowers. Written complaints were submitted to Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP) Anchal Dalal, who ordered immediate legal action.

Following SP Dalal’s directives, Inspector Milind Khopade of the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Alibag, coordinated with the Cooperative Marketing and Textile Department, Alibag. The department informed District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Pramod Jagtap, and formed joint teams to carry out raids.

"On July 18, teams simultaneously raided the Patils’ residence and their commercial property, Hotel Raigad Gomantak in Pen. Maintaining secrecy, we conducted the raids in the presence of witnesses. The cooperative department seized several documents including signed promissory notes, cheques, and other suspicious paperwork believed to have been obtained under duress," a police officer said.

Further legal proceedings are being handled by Subhash Kale, Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Pen. The operation was carried out under the guidance of SP Dalal and Additional SP Abhijeet Shivthare. The raiding teams included officers from the LCB and cooperative department, along with a staff of trained personnel.