Police to ensure recovery agents do not bully clients

LUDHIANA: Getting consumer goods financed has its downside. If a consumer is late in submitting the first instalment, one could have recovery agents breathing down one’s neck.
These agents have been known to rough consumers up. Some even take away your new car before the payment for the second instalment has been made.
This practise, however, will not be allowed to flourish, says SP (City II) Pritam Singh, who recently issued orders to this effect.The order has been forwarded to the nine police stations and several police posts under him.
Policemen have been strictly debarred from accompanying the recovery agents to the site of recovery in personal or official capacity unless the police department has officially and legally marked action in the case.
Pritam Singh told Times News Network that the defaulters, both from the police and the recovery agencies, will be booked if found harassing clients.
Finance companies, banks, and mobile service providers often do not follow the law, he said. In the event of non-payment of instalments, the company is required to send a legal notice to the client. If this also does not work, then the matter should be taken to the police. It is, however, illegal to take law into one’s own hands, forcibly take away items bought on loan and physically assaulting the clients, he added.
Police has received several complaints in this regard. Pritam Singh said that recovery agents get a commission from the companies. He also admitted that at times, the constable or the SPO, also has a share in the commission.
Pritam Singh added that he has discussed the matter with other police officials and soon the complete district would be dealing with the issue.