‘They dishonored even my white beard’: Elderly Ludhiana couple dies by suicide, blames bank harassment in video note

In a heart-wrenching act of desperation, a Ludhiana-based elderly couple ended their lives after allegedly being subjected to repeated humiliation by officials of IDFC-FIRST Bank, despite having repaid more than 55 loan installments on a business loan.

The couple, who owned a small hosiery shop in Gandhi Market Colony, left behind a video message blaming the bank staff for pushing them to the brink.

Jasbir Singh (59) and his wife Kuldeep Kaur (58), who ran “Panchratan Fashion,” consumed sulphas tablets inside their shop on June 25. In a haunting video recorded minutes before their death, Jasbir, an Amritdhari Sikh, accused the bank officials of dishonoring him and ignoring the dignity of his white beard.

“With immense grief in our hearts, we are leaving this world today… I have already repaid 55 instalments of my loan, and even then I was humiliated so much that it became unbearable,” Jasbir said in the message, sitting beside his wife. “My family is good… they love and respect me… but we are helpless now.”

Following the suicide and based on a complaint by their son Gagandeep Singh, the Ludhiana Police registered an FIR for abetment to suicide, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The FIR names Naresh Sharma, branch manager of IDFC-FIRST Bank’s Feroze Gandhi Market branch, and two unidentified bank employees.

According to the son, the couple had taken a loan of ₹2.38 crore for their hosiery and garments business and had repaid over ₹1 crore so far. The latest EMI had been delayed due to a temporary financial crunch, but instead of empathy, they allegedly faced harassment through repeated calls and in-person threats by bank officials.

“They kept pressuring and insulting my parents despite our record of consistent repayment,” Gagandeep told police. “They visited the shop, threatened them, and broke their spirit.”

Additional DCP-1 Sameer Verma confirmed the couple’s claims are being taken seriously. “The FIR has been registered and we are investigating the matter. No arrests have been made yet,” he said.

The tragic case has triggered outrage in Ludhiana, with local traders and citizens demanding strict action against the bank officials involved. Many have questioned the ethics of debt recovery practices and called for a broader inquiry into coercive methods being used against borrowers, especially in cases where substantial repayments have already been made.