By TC News Desk
Agartala, 15th May 2025: Following previous corruption allegations against HDFC Bank’s Udaipur branch, fresh accusations have surfaced against the bank’s Agartala Shankar Chowmuhani branch. A small shoe merchant Prasenjit Roy along with his mother Kalpana Rani Roy has raised concerns about alleged misconduct by the bank regarding their gold loan repayment.
According to Roy, his mother took out a gold loan of Rs 48,000 from the Shankar Chowmuhani branch in Agartala in June 2024 pledging two gold chains weighing 12 grams as collateral. The loan was meant to be repaid within six months, but due to health issues, his mother could not meet the deadline.
On May 13, 2025, Roy and his mother visited the bank to settle the outstanding dues and reclaim their gold. However, to their shock, the bank authorities informed them that their gold chains had already been sold due to non-repayment. “The bank has betrayed us. I took a gold loan to do business. How could they sell my mother’s gold without informing us?” Roy stated in front of the media personnel.
Distressed by the revelation, his mother’s health reportedly deteriorated inside the bank premises. Seeking assistance, Roy approached the West Agartala Police Station lodging a verbal complaint regarding the alleged breach of trust.
Roy further claimed that the bank offered him Rs 23,000 as compensation, which he refused, arguing that the current market value of the gold items is Rs 1.1 lakh and the interest on the loan itself would amount to Rs 75,000. “Why would I accept a mere Rs 23,000 when my loss is much greater?” he questioned.
Expressing deep disappointment, Roy asserted that the bank’s credibility has been compromised and vowed to pursue legal action against the institution. “We will fight this legally. Let’s see if the bank authorities return the gold chain of my helpless mother,” he declared.
