On Tuesday, District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi was surrounded by hundreds of women who brought forth their complaint about being swindled by a microfinance company. The women gathered outside Congress Bhavan at Sangolli Rayanna Circle to seek justice and were assured by Jarkiholi that action would be taken.
The women explained that Yallavva Bannibag from Halabhavi village in Belagavi taluk had established Rani Channamma Rural Micro Finance Company along with several self-help groups (SHGs) in multiple villages. Approximately 3,000 women were part of 150 SHGs, where they were encouraged to save and deposit money with the company weekly, with promises of easy access to bank loans.
However, it was later discovered that the company had borrowed money in the names of these women, but the funds were never deposited into their accounts. The scam came to light when the women started receiving notices from financial institutions. Upon confronting Yallavva Bannibag, they found her missing, along with the money she had collected.
The women filed a police complaint at Kakati Police Station and approached Minister Jarkiholi for assistance in recovering their savings. In response, Jarkiholi assured them that he had already contacted the Police Commissioner to investigate the case and promised further action. He asked the women to allow him time until the end of the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly to resolve the issue and help them reclaim their money.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohan Jagadeesh confirmed that a case had been filed, and an investigation was underway.
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