#IIFL Cleared of 'Hostage' Allegations in Jhansi Loan Dispute After Police Probe

Lucknow / Jhansi : A serious allegation against a private finance company, #IIFL, in the Moth police station area of Jhansi has been proven false following an official police investigation. The incident, which initially involved a complaint of a woman being held captive over a loan installment, has been clarified by the police and the Microfinance Association of Uttar Pradesh (UPMA), revealing a case of misunderstanding and third-party fraud. The matter has since been resolved amicably between both parties.

The incident came to light on July 28, 2025, when a man named Ravindra Verma lodged a complaint with Dial 112 police, alleging that IIFL had held his wife, Pooja Verma, hostage. According to Ravindra, the company had refused to release her until the outstanding loan installments were paid. The complaint prompted an immediate on-site investigation by the local police.

In a press release issued by Sudhir Sinha, Chief Executive Officer of UPMA, the findings of the police probe were detailed. Sinha, quoting information provided by the Superintendent of Police (Rural), Jhansi, stated that the allegations were not substantiated. The investigation revealed that Pooja Verma had taken a loan from the company and had made nine out of eleven installments herself. However, she had entrusted the remaining two installments to a person named Dharmendra from her village, who failed to deposit the money with the company. It was to discuss this very issue that Pooja Verma had gone to the company’s office on July 28.

The police report confirms that there was no evidence to support the claim that Pooja Verma was forcibly detained or held against her will. Instead, she was present at the office to resolve the payment issue, which had been complicated by the failure of a third party to deposit the money. This clarification brings to light the importance of direct and secure payment channels for loan customers.

Following the investigation, both IIFL and Pooja Verma reached a mutual agreement. A written settlement, or 'likhit raajinama,' was submitted to the Moth police station, confirming that the dispute has been resolved amicably. The press release from UPMA concluded by stating that the situation at the scene is now peaceful.

This case serves as a crucial reminder for both borrowers and financial institutions. For customers, it highlights the risks of using third parties for financial transactions and the importance of ensuring that payments are made directly to the company. For companies, it underscores the need for clear communication and robust payment verification processes. The swift and transparent police investigation, followed by the responsible clarification from UPMA, helped to defuse a potentially volatile situation and set the record straight, ensuring that the company's reputation was not unjustly harmed by false accusations.