Kerala: Husband's Debt Leaves Woman Homeless; Indian Billionaire Repays It

MA Yusuff Ali, the UAE-based billionaire is receiving widespread praise for his recent act of kindness towards a woman from Kerala who was evicted from her home due to an unpaid loan. Ali is chairman of Lulu Group, the largest retail chain in Asia and the biggest in the Middle East with 259 outlets across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and beyond. He became aware of Sandhya’s situation after local media highlighted her plight. Her story struck a chord within the community, particularly as she and her children found themselves homeless.

How Husband's Betrayal Left Sandhya and Her Children Homeless

Sandhya, a resident of North Paravur, took out a loan of ₹4 lakh from Manappuram Finance in 2019 to build her home. However, her life took a difficult turn in 2021 when her husband abandoned her and their two children. 

With the loss of financial support, Sandhya struggled to make loan repayments, which eventually increased the amount owed to nearly ₹8 lakh due to interest. 

After several missed payments, Manappuram Finance initiated foreclosure proceedings. The company issued four warnings over three years, but when Sandhya continued to struggle, they took action. 

Upon returning home from her job at a cloth shop, Sandhya discovered that NBFC officials had changed her locks, effectively evicting her and her children without allowing them to retrieve their belongings. This distressing scene of Sandhya and her children left stranded on the street sparked outrage among locals and garnered significant media attention. 

Ali's Support Receives Widespread Praise

After learning about Sandhya's situation, MA Yusuff Ali decided to intervene. He instructed his team in India to fully repay her loan, ensuring that the keys to her home were returned. Additionally, he provided Sandhya with ₹10 lakh to help her start fresh. 

On receiving the keys back, Sandhya expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Yusuff Ali. She stated that without his help, she and her children would have faced severe hardship. The support not only restored their home but also gave them a sense of hope for a better future. 

Yusuff Ali’s actions have been widely praised, highlighting his commitment to helping those in need and his role as a community leader.