79. DEBT, DECEPTION AND DOGS (2003)

 STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN 

The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World

CARE: This is Chapter 79 of my book Stress, Success and Everything In-Between. These are individual anecdotes but to understand the professional journey in totality, I would recommend reading the book right from Chapter 01 onwards.

Arsh Deep Singh, a recalcitrant borrower from my RAR Branch, was a symphony of arrogance and deceit. He owed the bank a fortune but acted like a pauper, his lifestyle a brazen display of wealth.

After much chasing, we finally cornered him, and he agreed to come to the negotiation table for a compromise. Tall, handsome, and clad in a silk shirt and a designer suit, he claimed utter destitution. I could not imagine this. A man who claimed to be destitute, dressed in a shirt that probably cost more than my monthly salary, was condescendingly informing me of his dire financial strait.

"I have no money," he wailed. "I have even sold my wife's jewellery, and nothing is left for her to wear now."

I remained unfazed. "So what? Who bought all that jewellery for her? You did." I countered. "Why don't you sell off the remaining one to repay the bank." He feigned despair. His voice started choking, and he buried his face in his hands. My team members were moved by his crocodile tears. They rushed to comfort him with a glass of water. I, however, suspected a charade. It was a theatrical performance veiled in crocodile tears. But I remained unmoved. This wasn't a tragedy; it was purely a calculated drama.

I insisted on visiting his residence in Ludhiana. I wanted to see this destitute man's lifestyle firsthand. He agreed with some resistance and left. Moments later, from the window of my office room, I watched him drive away in a chauffeur-driven Porsche. A poor man indeed!

His house in Model Town was a palace. The sight that greeted us was a testament to his opulent lifestyle. A sprawling mansion, the gate guarded by two liveried sentries expressed exclusivity. We were kept waiting, a deliberate display of his power and our insignificance. Finally, we were ushered in, not to a drawing room but to a sprawling lush green lawn, where we were expected to bask in the sun on uncomfortable cane chairs.

Fifteen minutes passed. No one came. I inquired again. Then, all of a sudden, two ferocious German Shepherds were unleashed upon us. The duo came barking menacingly. This was no accident; it was a calculated intimidation tactic. This man, who claimed to be bankrupt, dared to unleash his dogs on his creditors.

My colleague, a picture of terror, nearly jumped out of his skin. I quickly told him to remain seated and take deep breaths. However, I remained calm. Having kept a big Labrador as a pet, I knew our fear would only excite the dogs.

Finally, Mr. Destitute appeared, clad in his navy blue silk robe and rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep. "Sorry, late night," he drawled. Late night? While the bank's money funded his lavish lifestyle?

His theatrics continued, but his false claims were exposed. His time was up. We seized his assets, his opulent mansion, symbolising his greed and disregard for the law. Soon, the auctioneer's hammer fell. Three crore one, three crore two... three crore three! The final call!

It was a resounding defeat for the man who thought he could outsmart the system. This was not just a debt recovery battle; it was a battle against arrogance, against those who believed they were above the law. In the end, justice, albeit belatedly, prevailed.

(To continue...)

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