Topper Orphaned During COVID Asked To Repay Father's Loan, FM Sitharaman Intervenes

Vanisha Pathak, who had topped Class 10 exams in Bhopal with 99.8 % is now facing legal notices for a home loan her father had taken. Pathak had lost both her parents due to COVID-19 and her story of courage and grief had gone viral. She also wrote the poem 'I'll stand with you Papa'. Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister of India took note of the reports on loan legal notice to Vanisha Pathak and asked the authorities to look into the matter.

As per a report by the Times of India, Vanisha's father Jeetendra Pathak used to work as a LIC agent and had a loan from the office. After he died, LIC reportedly blocked all his savings and commissions that he would get every month. Vanisha being a minor has not been able to get in touch with the authorities despite sending several letters, as she told TOI. Reportedly, LIC said they will not send any more notices to Vanisha before she turns 18. Vanisha is currently 17 years old.

Nirmala Sitharaman posted the news report in a tweet and wrote, "Please look into this. Also, brief on the current status." She tagged LIC India and the Department of Finance Ministry in her tweet.

Vanisha Pathak LIC legal notice case:

According to reports, LIC has informed the central office about Vanisha's case but so far the minor has not heard from the authorities. Vanisha also has a little brother to take care of in her parents' absence. The girl received the last legal notice on February 2 this year which asked Vanisha to repay Rs 29 lakh or face legal action. 

In May 2021, Vanisha and her little brother lost their parents to COVID-19. Fighting grief and shock, the minor girl continued her fight and scored a perfect 100 in the Class 10 board exams. Her story has become a source of inspiration for many people her age and people older than her who also found themselves dealing with grief during the pandemic and after it.

Vanisha is currently under the care of her maternal uncle Prof. Ashok Sharma. She has written letters to LIC. One letter quotes by TOI read, "My father was a member of Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) club, a renowned insurance club. Both my father Jeetendra Pathak and mother Seema Pathak passed away due to Covid in May 2021. I and my 11-year-old brother Vivan are minors and Covid orphans. Since we are under-age, all my father’s policies and his monthly commissions could not be withdrawn as per the rule. With all of the economic and financial income sources blocked, we have no source of income. Thus, all the repayment of the debts can be done only when I turn 18.” As per reports, LIC has not sent Vanisha a reply yet.

Suggested Reading: Who Is Vanisha Pathak? Bhopal Topper Who Lost Both Her Parents To COVID-19

The minor's uncle gave a statement and said, "I am taking care of both children and I do not have the resources to repay such high dues. Jeetendra was a big league LIC agent and it was expected that the insurance company would reciprocate. We have not received any- thing in writing from LIC that they have considered our request.”

With the Finance Minister's recent intervention, it is expected that Vanisha and her family will get relief.