PMC Bank crisis: 6th death within 38 days, yet no written assurance

Another PMC Bank depositor died of a heart attack, making it the sixth death among depositors since the outbreak of the bank crisis. 68-year-old Keshumal Hinduja died last night in Mulund Colony, Mumbai. According to Hinduja’s family, Keshumal died because of cardiac arrest.

They further stated, “He always used to keep worrying and concerned about the money, his lifetime savings deposited in PMC Bank, which has now claimed his life. We lost our family member, our support.”This is the sixth death that is claimed to be related to the PMC Bank collapse.

Read: PMC Bank Scam: RBI Mulling Bank's Merger As Depositors Demand Savings

Protest of PMC Bank depositors

Sanjay Gulati and Nivedita Bijlani, who both lived in Andheri, and Murlidhar Dharra and Fattomal Punjabi of Mulund Colony, had died in the last couple of weeks. While Nivedita Bijlani committed suicide, the other three died of a heart attack. Whereas, Bharati Sadarangani died after a sudden heart attack, who was reportedly really worried for her family’s future as her daughter and son-in-law had deposits worth Rs.2.5 crore in the bank. 

Today, it has been 38 days since PMC Bank depositors are protesting and begging for their own money. Depositors at this point of time, need a written assurance from the RBI or Government, that the money which has been deposited in PMC Bank, is safe. The depositors say their woes have only worsened, as many fear that they might lose their lifetime earnings deposited in savings accounts, or in the form of fixed deposits.

Read: RBI Penalises Bandhan Bank And Two Pune-based Banks For Violation

Wadhawans bring probed

The RBI placed PMC Bank under restrictions after an Rs.4,355-crore scam surfaced and capped withdrawals by account holders. Authorities are probing the alleged criminal conspiracy between some officials of PMC Bank and Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd promoters Rakesh and Sarang Wadhawan.

The Wadhawans have already given their consent to selling the 18 attached assets, including two private jets, a speed boat and a fleet of high-end cars. In a letter dated October 16 to the finance ministry, the RBI and probe agencies including EOW and the Enforcement Directorate, they sought monetisation of the attached assets at “fair market value”. Hapless PMC depositors have been protesting across the country for getting their money back ever since the bank was placed under restrictions.

Read: PMC Bank Scam: Delegation Of 10 Protestors To Meet RBI Officials

Read: 37 Days On, PMC Bank Depositors' Quest For Savings And Justice Goes On