An elderly couple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district were evicted from their home over loan dues, triggering massive public outrage—especially because the state’s Left government had recently passed a law ensuring families do not lose their only home due to mortgage disputes. The eviction also contradicts an earlier assurance by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that such cases would not be allowed to occur.
The law in question, the Kerala Single Dwelling Place Protection Bill 2025, passed on October 9, was intended to safeguard families whose only residential property had been mortgaged. Yet the Thiruvalla East Cooperative Bank, which is controlled by the ruling CPI(M), proceeded with the eviction of 84-year-old Janardhanan and his 70-year-old wife Vijayamma.
The couple, both suffering from age-related ailments, told NDTV that they were locked out of their home and were forced to sleep in their courtyard overnight.
“Officials came and locked us out. We slept outside,” Janardhanan said. “They told us they had to do it or they would lose their jobs.”
The incident has caused deep concern in the Vazhoor gram panchayat, where the CPI(M), supported by the SDPI, is in power. Social worker Arun Mohan said the bank’s actions directly contradict the state government’s declared policy.
Bank Says Eviction Followed Court Order
Jacob George, chairman of the cooperative bank, defended the eviction, stating that all procedures were followed.
“The loan was taken in 2014. They defaulted and refused to shift to another house built by their son with financial support from the bank,” George said. He added that the bank was obligated to hand over the house to the auction purchaser as per a High Court order dated November 13.
The couple’s home and land, valued at ₹25 lakh, were reportedly auctioned for just ₹11 lakh, raising questions about transparency and fairness. BJP councillor Deepthi Damodaran alleged the bank chairman misled the public.
“Everyone here knows the couple have lived in that house for decades. Auctioning it for less than half its value is unacceptable,” she said.
CPI(M) Leaders Silent as Election Nears
CPI(M) district committee member Satheesh K acknowledged awareness of the case but declined to comment, citing his busy schedule with local body elections.
Political analysts say the incident adds to a string of controversies haunting the CPI(M), including the Sabarimala gold theft, arrests of party leaders, and the death of Additional District Magistrate K Naveen Babu. These developments, combined with the eviction episode, could significantly impact the Left Democratic Front’s prospects in the upcoming polls.
Loan Details and Chief Minister’s Past Assurance
According to reports, the couple had borrowed ₹2.5 lakh from the cooperative bank. Over the years, they claim to have repaid more than double the principal amount, including interest, yet were unable to prevent the bank from proceeding with attachment and eviction.
In February 2025, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had told the Assembly that no one who had mortgaged their only home to cooperative banks would be evicted. The Thiruvalla East Cooperative Bank’s actions appear to defy that assurance.
The couple now say they have nowhere to go and are uncertain about their future.
Opposition Slams CPI(M)
District BJP president V.A. Sooraj accused the ruling party of betraying the poor.
“CPI(M) claims to protect the poor, but at the panchayat level they intimidate the weak and marginalised,” he said. “This will definitely reflect in the upcoming local body election.”
A senior Congress leader added that the turmoil within the ruling coalition, particularly the unstable position of the Kerala Congress (M), will benefit the opposition in the polls.