Lakhimpur Kheer. A 26-year-old private taxi driver tried to commit suicide by setting himself ablaze allegedly over ‘torture’ by the police and four others inside the Gaurifanta police station premises in Lakhimpur Kheri.
According to the police, the victim alleged that four people and the police were extorting money from the taxi drivers and when he failed to pay them, they started harassing her.
He claimed to have attempted suicide after the alleged harassment.
The victim suffered over 80 per cent burns and doctors at the hospital where he was undergoing treatment described his condition as ‘critical’.
Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sanjeev Suman has suspended the in-charge of Gaurifanta police station, Ashwani Vishwakarma, accusing him.
The SP said that instructions have been issued to the Additional Superintendent of Police to investigate the matter and submit a report in two days.
The statement of the victim has been recorded before the magistrate.
Shivam Gupta, a resident of Palia, used to run Tata Magic from Bangawa area to Gaurifanta area.
Gupta attempted suicide by setting himself on fire by pouring petrol at the Gaurifanta police station gate late on Wednesday night.
After setting himself on fire, Gupta fled inside the police station premises, police said. Police personnel doused the fire and took him to the hospital.
The victim alleged that four residents with the help of police were harassing her and not allowing her to ply the taxi.
The victim’s uncle Pankaj Gupta told reporters that Shivam took this step after police seized his vehicle and thrashed him. He also alleged that the police had threatened Shivam Gupta that his nephew would be falsely implicated.
—AnyTV News
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