THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a powerful act of protest, VSDP activists brought the bodies of Satheesh and Bindu, the Karamana couple who died by suicide, to the SBI SME branch near the general hospital on Monday, demanding the waiver of their loan liability.

The couple had reportedly faced intense pressure from bank officials, including multiple threats of house seizure, which allegedly led to their tragic decision. Protesters claimed the bank’s coercive tactics were responsible for the deaths.

The demonstration began in the morning and escalated after the postmortem, when the ambulance carrying the couple’s bodies arrived at the bank around 2:30 pm. Activists placed the bodies in front of the bank and continued protesting for over an hour.

Faced with mounting public outrage, SBI officials issued a written assurance, promising to waive the loan within 20 days. The protest was called off following the assurance, and the bodies were taken for the final rites.

Earlier, locals and members of the Contractors Federation staged a protest at the couple’s home. They refused to allow the bodies to be moved until tahsildar-level talks were held. The delay lasted nearly eight hours. Locals revealed that bank officials had come thrice to seize the house, most recently warning of final action on Monday.

This tragedy has triggered a larger debate about bank recovery practices and the need for humane handling of distressed borrowers.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help:
📞 Sneha Foundation: 044-24640050
📞 Tele Manas (24×7): 14416
📞 iCall (TISS): 022-25521111 (Mon-Sat, 8 am–10 pm)