Depositor of Nemom Bank dies sans money for treatment

Thiruvananthapuram: A 60-year-old man, who was defrauded by the administrative panel of Nemom Service Cooperative Bank, died while undergoing treatment for liver-related issues after failing to find money for his surgery.
Suresh Kumar of Santhivila was abroad for several years and deposited Rs 10 lakh at the bank on his return in 2020.
However, the bank did not provide the money for his treatment despite repeated requests.
"He was diagnosed with a liver disease and requested the bank to release the deposit with interest. However, the bank did not permit his request and in the meantime, his family took him to the house of the president as a protest measure in 2024. He needed a huge amount of money for his surgery at NIMS Hospital in Neyyattinkara, but the bank turned a blind eye to his request," said Mujeeb Rahman, patron of depositors' forum.
Similarly, several other depositors are also demanding their deposited amounts for various needs.
The depositors' forum informed that they would stage a protest before the bank, demanding action against those responsible for Suresh's death.
Federation of Residents Association in Nemom Sector (FRANS) demanded sale of the building owned by bank through auction to return the money to depositors and prevent more people from dying without being able to find money for treatment and other urgent needs.
"FRANS has given a request in this regard to the chief minister and the minister for cooperation. The existing administrative panel of the bank must be dissolved immediately and a new administrative committee should be formed by including the representatives of the depositors," said FRANS on Friday.
Meanwhile, enforcement directorate (ED) has registered a case over irregularities surrounding the bank.
ED formally registered the case after recording the statements of 20 depositors who got cheated by panel members.
Through various irregularities, the accused landed the bank in crisis and the fraud came to light when depositors stopped receiving interest.