In the region of Bundelkhand, spanning the two northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, drought, debt and desperation have pushed people to extremes. To survive the bad years, some farmers say they turn to the "Paisawalla" -- Hindi for the rich man who lends money. Farmers say the loans from these unofficial lenders usually come with very high interest.
When the interest mounts up, lenders demand payment. Some farmers work as bonded laborers for a lifetime to pay off their debts. Others here say because of years of little rain and bad harvests they are forced to give money lenders whatever they ask for. Sometimes that includes their wives.
"It happens sometimes when somebody borrows money," says a farmer's wife who did not want to be identified. She should know, considering what police say she told them. She said a rich man bought her from her husband. "He did buy me," she says. "That's why he told me he bought me." For 30 days she says the man forced her to live with him. When her case drew public attention, she retracted her police report and her husband took her back.
Ranjana Kumari with India's Centre for Social Research says the exploitation of women is common in the region. And, she says, there is little support for women in India who have the courage to file a case with authorities.
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