Mahindra Group Chairperson Anand Mahindra has opened up about the Hazaribagh incident where a pregnant woman was run over and crushed to death allegedly by a loan recovery agent from Mahindra Finance.

The incident happened in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag district on September 15 when the 27-year-old woman was protesting against the confiscation of her family’s tractor over loan dues. The deceased woman’s father had apparently borrowed Rs 1.3 lakh from Mahindra Finance to buy a tractor. As he was unable to pay the amount back, a loan recovery agent seized the tractor despite the farmer’s pleas.

His pregnant daughter, who tried to intervene, was reportedly crushed under the tractor’s wheels. Anish Shah, managing director and chief executive officer of Mahindra Group, mentioned in a statement that the company will review the practice of “using third-party collection agencies that have been in existence.”

The statement read, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the Hazaribagh incident. A human tragedy has occurred. We will investigate this incident from all aspects and will also undertake an examination of the practice of using third-party collection agencies that have been in existence. We will extend all possible support to the authorities during the investigation into this tragic incident, and above all, we stand with the family in this moment of grief.”

Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra quoted Anish’s tweet and expressed his condolences. “This is a terrible tragedy. I strongly support Anish Shah’s statement. Our hearts go out to the family in this time of grief,” he wrote.

This is a terrible tragedy. I strongly support @anishshah21's statement. Our hearts go out to the family in this time of grief. https://t.co/FxYejx59im

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 16, 2022