Two-storey house in capital for Rs 2000; lottery department against couple’s coupon sale in Vattiyoorkavu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lottery department has come out against the family who tried to sell their house through a lottery draw in order to get out of debt. The lottery department joint director has directed the Vattiyoorkavu police to stop the sale as it was illegal to sell a house via lottery draw. Individuals cannot run lotteries and collect money through it. A complaint will be lodged with the superintendent of police in connection with the incident, said the lottery department. As directed by the joint director, Vattiyoorkavu police had arrived at the house and collected information. The house owners namely Ajo and Anna have temporarily halted the lottery sale.

The family fell into crisis after failing to repay the home loan, which they took from Kerala Bank’s branch in Jagathy. The family decided to sell the house and pay off the debt due to intense pressure from the bank employees, despite seeing the minister and other officials requesting to extend the loan repayment period. On finding out the couple’s emergency, many tried to reduce the market price. As a solution to this, the family decided to hold a lottery draw with the help of the vicar of Christurajapuram church, Moonnamoodu. Ajo, an accountant, had lost his job after losing his sight in an accident. Anna, an engineer, had also lost her job during the pandemic.