VSDP protests with bodies in front of bank in Thiruvananthapuram

Members of the Vaikunda Swamy Dharma Pracharana Sabha (VSDP) and local residents stage a protest, along with the bodies of a middle-aged couple, outside a bank that allegedly attempted to confiscate their property, in Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, June 16, 2025. The couple reportedly died by suicide after failing to repay over rupees two crore in debt. | Photo Credit: PTI

Activists of the Vaikunda Swamy Dharma Pracharana Sabha (VSDP) on Monday protested in front of the State Bank of India’s SME Branch, near General Hospital, along with the bodies of the couple who committed suicide in Karamana a day ago.

The protesters led by VSDP leader Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan placed the bodies of the deceased K. Satheesh and his wife V. Bindu in front of the bank, accusing officials of pushing the couple to the brink by demanding repayment of a loan the couple had availed several years ago.

They claimed that Satheesh, a former contractor, had availed a business loan of around ₹64 lakh. However, the pandemic and the economic downturn brought his work to a halt, severely impacting his ability to repay the loan. Despite his worsening financial condition and health issues, the protesters allege the bank forced him to renew the loan, currently totalling over ₹1.5 crore.

Following talks held with the bank officials, the VDSP activists claimed to have received assurances that the debt would be written off.

In a press note, SBI stated that the couple had availed credit facilities from the bank in 2013, which later turned non-performing. “The last time the bank contacted them regarding the loan was on March 3, 2025, and there has been no communication since then. The bank stands committed to fully cooperate with the authorities in their investigation and extend all possible support to the family”.

Published - June 16, 2025 09:05 pm IST