BRAC Worker Locks Customer’s House, Leaving Elderly Mother Outside Over Unpaid Loan Installment

Staff Reporter

In Nabiganj Upazila, Habiganj, a BRAC field officer locked a customer’s house after they failed to pay a monthly loan installment, leaving the customer’s elderly mother outside.

The incident occurred on June 25. The lock was removed three days later, on June 28, following police intervention. Based on a complaint from the elderly mother, Nabiganj Police Station’s Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Hillol Talukdar visited the site and resolved the issue.

Nabiganj Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kamruzzaman confirmed on June 28, “We received a written complaint. The police arranged to have the lock opened, and the matter was resolved socially.”

However, conscious citizens believe that locking a house while leaving an elderly woman outside constitutes a gross violation of human rights.

According to the affected family, Arvindu Acharya took a Tk 2 lakh loan from the Nabiganj branch of BRAC’s Progati NGO on February 2. He paid the installments for March, April, and May on time. However, in June, he was unable to pay as he was away from home.

On June 24, BRAC field officer Suranjit Purkayastha visited Arvindu’s home and, not finding him, informed his mother about the loan repayment. The next day, June 25, Suranjit returned, and upon not finding the elderly mother, locked the family’s home with the loan guarantor present.

At the time, Arvindu’s mother was outside. She was shocked to find the house locked upon her return. After learning the details from locals, she filed a written complaint with Nabiganj Police Station.

ASI Hillol Talukdar investigated and, upon confirming the incident, broke the lock to allow the elderly woman to re-enter her home.

Nabiganj Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Ruhul Amin expressed outrage, stating, “No NGO official can legally lock a customer’s house. This is a clear crime.”

He added, “If a written complaint is received, necessary action will be taken as per the law.”

Local human rights activists believe that locking an elderly woman’s house in the name of loan recovery is inhumane. Such actions by NGOs raise questions about citizen safety and dignity.

The incident has sparked anger among locals, bringing the issue of accountability of NGOs back into the spotlight.