10. VICTORY OF DUTY: STORY OF HONESTY OF AN AGM (Assistant General Manager)
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
This story is inspired by a true incident. To preserve the privacy of the individuals and places involved, their names have been changed. However, every effort has been made to keep the essence of the events intact. If the events in this story bear any resemblance to persons or situations in any country, it is purely coincidental
This tale is one among many that unfolded when a bank launched a special recovery drive to reclaim its sinking accounts — the ones officially categorized as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). These were the loans that had not been repaid on time and had turned into a burden on the bank’s balance sheet.
But this is not just a story about financial recovery. It is a shining example of the unseen power of honesty — a force so strong that it can humble even the pride of luxury and wealth. In this instance, the integrity of a simple bank officer caused a successful businessman, surrounded by opulence, to feel hollow within.
We all know that banks hold a deeply integral place in our lives. They are not merely institutions for safeguarding money — they are vaults of trust. When we deposit our hard-earned income or even our treasured possessions into a bank, we do so with an unshakable belief that they will remain safe.
A bank not only protects our savings but also rewards that trust by offering interest. The longer we choose to deposit our funds, the greater the return it offers. And when life takes a sudden turn and we are in need of financial support, it is the bank that steps in with various kinds of loans to help us move forward.
But the entire foundation of this vast system rests upon one thing — trust. The money stored in banks is, in truth, the collective hard work of the people. And people continue to deposit it only because they believe it is safe. The bank, in turn, bears the sacred responsibility of honouring that belief.
This invisible thread of trust is what ties ordinary people to the institution of banking. And this story brings forth a rare and radiant example of that very trust, where an honest bank officer treated his duty as a form of worship and proved that the light of truth outshines even the brightest glare of riches.
As responsible and conscientious citizens, it is not just our legal obligation but our moral, social, and economic duty to repay any loan we take from a bank on time. This responsibility goes beyond a signed contract — it is a matter of honouring the very trust on which the entire banking system stands.
In truth, the loans disbursed by banks come directly from the public’s hard-earned savings. Therefore, misusing such funds is, in effect, a violation of the trust and rights of every single depositor who believed their money was safe.
Unfortunately, there are some individuals who deliberately turn away from this responsibility. Not only do they avoid repaying their debts, but through deceit and manipulation, they end up harming both the bank and society at large.
This story revolves around such individuals — those who view public money as nothing more than a consumable resource, and instead of returning it with integrity, seek to capture it through fraudulent means.
The events took place in February 2025.
Mumbai, India
On Mahatma Gandhi Road in Mumbai’s Fort area stood the office of a reputed company named “Johnson Pharmaceuticals Private Limited”. From the bank’s side, Mr. David D’Souza, the Assistant General Manager, was entrusted with a special task to recover the outstanding dues of ‘Johnson Pharmaceuticals Private Limited’, which had now officially become an NPA (Non-Performing Asset).
To accomplish this mission, a dedicated team of twelve officers was assigned to assist him.
‘Johnson Pharmaceuticals Private Limited’ was a prominent and influential entity within the jurisdiction of the bank’s regional office in Mumbai (India). The ‘Regional General Manager, Mr. Paul, still vividly recalls the day when the company’s owner, Mr. Johnson, along with his business partner, had approached the bank with a proposal for a loan of ₹200 crores (approximately $23.4 million USD).
In return, they had offered to mortgage their entire land and machinery, which was estimated to be worth nearly ₹450 crores. From a business perspective, Mr. Paul saw this as a highly profitable proposition. Deliberately, he took a little extra time to respond, hoping to convey that approval was not guaranteed — a strategic move to maintain the bank’s upper hand.
In truth, Mr. Paul was deeply impressed by Mr. Johnson’s humility and honesty. He appeared to be a gentleman and a sincere entrepreneur. However, from the very beginning, Mr. Paul felt a strange unease about Mr. Johnson’s partner — a silent suspicion that would later evolve into a significant turning point in this story.
Now, circumstances had taken a grim turn. Mr. Johnson had been bedridden for two months, battling a severe illness that had rendered him helpless. Taking advantage of this vulnerability, his partner had begun to act independently, engaging in fraudulent activities, misusing the company’s assets, and violating all norms of ethical business.
He had stopped paying loan instalments to the bank, and as a result, the company’s running account eventually slipped into the dreaded category of Non-Performing Asset (NPA).
The situation had now become critically delicate for the bank. The recovery of ₹200 crores was at stake. In such a precarious scenario, the bank decided to take a decisive step. A strong and experienced team was formed with one clear objective — to ensure, through lawful and strategic measures, the complete recovery of the outstanding amount from this NPA account.
The Assistant General Manager (AGM), Mr. David D’Souza, initiated the recovery proceedings by issuing a Demand Notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act. This notice was sent to Mr. Johnson, the owner of Johnson Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, and all his business partners. It ordered repayment of the outstanding ₹200 crores within 60 days, failing which the bank would exercise its legal right to seize the company’s mortgaged assets.
The moment this notice reached Johnson Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, it hit the partners like a thunderbolt.
Mr. Bob and the other partners, who had thus far dismissed the warnings as mere routine banking formalities, were now forced to confront a harsh and frightening reality. Mr. Bob, in particular, was shaken to his core. The very notices they had laughed off — “Banks always send these, nothing serious” — now pierced them with the weight of truth and consequence.
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson, bedridden for the last two months due to a severe illness, was deeply agitated upon receiving the news. When Mr. Bob and two other partners visited to inform him of the situation, he didn’t speak much, but his furious eyes said everything. A silent storm raged within him.
“They have ruined the company I built with my blood and sweat,” he murmured bitterly. “I would have been better off running the business alone than trusting such irresponsible partners…” But he was helpless, confined by illness and restrained by circumstance. Still, a flame of resolve lit within him:
“There are still 60 days left… maybe I can recover enough by then to do something.”
However, when Mr. Bob casually shrugged and said, “We didn’t do anything wrong — it was just bad timing…”
Mr. Johnson could no longer contain his anger. He raised his voice and snapped,
“When I fell ill, you should have taken responsibility for the company. Instead, you dragged it into the dirt in my absence!”
Mr. Bob retorted, “The losses are everyone’s, so the burden must be shared too!”
Mr. Johnson’s eyes blazed as he declared, “You people misused my money. Now face the consequences! I don’t care how, but you will repay the ₹200 crores to the bank!”
With that, trembling with rage, he rose from his bed and walked out of the room.
A Storm in Silence
On the other side, at the Regional Office, General Manager Mr. Paul was growing increasingly uneasy with the pace and nature of the recovery strategy. Although he was receiving regular updates from AGM Mr. D’Souza and knew the 60-day deadline was about to expire, with just Saturday and Sunday remaining, something about the situation felt unresolved, emotionally sensitive, even humanly unfinished.
Acting on instinct, he summoned AGM Mr. D’Souza to his office.
As AGM, Mr. D’Souza entered the GM’s cabin, and Mr. Paul wasted no time.
He fired the question directly, “What’s the latest update on the ‘Johnson Pharmaceutical’s account?”
AGM Mr. D’Souza replied with a steady seriousness, “Sir, the 60-day notice period is almost over. Tomorrow is Saturday, and the deadline ends this Sunday. I’ve completed all legal formalities… but I’m considering one last thing — meeting Mr. Johnson in person.”
Mr. Paul gazed into his eyes for a moment and asked quietly,
“Do you still have hope?”
The AGM took a deep breath, “Yes, sir. During the loan processing, I met Mr. Johnson several times. I saw him up close. He is, at his core, an honest and sensitive man. He’s been betrayed. We certainly have the legal power to proceed. We have more than enough mortgaged assets — recovering ₹200 crores won’t be difficult. But the real question is — what if we recover our money, yet lose a ₹450-crore client forever…?”
The two officers remained silent for a moment, contemplating the gravity of the idea. Then Paul spoke, “Alright. Give it a shot. After all, just one day remains. Whatever happens after that, we’ll deal with it.”
The Next Morning – May 3, 2025
At precisely 9:00 AM, AGM Mr. D’Souza called Mr. Johnson.
There had been some improvement in Johnson’s health, but the firmness that once defined his voice had yet to return. He answered with a weary, bitter tone,
“Yes, yes… the bank people are calling again.
You want your ₹200 crores, don’t you?
Well, listen carefully – you’ll get nothing from me.
Don’t speak to me again. Say what you must to my partners – recover your money from them.
I have nothing more to say on this matter.”
And with that, he ended the call.
AGM Mr. D’Souza heard the response, placed the phone down with a faint smile, and turned to his team.
“Okay, boys… time to move!”
A March of Outrage
With banners, documents, and placards in hand, the team set out on foot towards Mr. Johnson’s residence.
Their faces were solemn, but their voices crackled with righteous thunder:
“Return the bank’s money!
This money belongs to the people, to the nation.
It is the trust of the poor, not yours to squander!”
Continued.. to part 2….
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