A 32-year-old man set himself ablaze outside a police station in Kanpur on Tuesday after lodging a complaint, resulting in burn injuries to four police personnel who attempted to rescue him. The man, identified as Mahesh Pasi, is in critical condition following the incident.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Pasi had visited the Maharajpur police station around noon to file a complaint alleging that his wife had assaulted him and was refusing to live with him. Shortly after submitting the complaint, he reportedly went outside the station, doused himself with a flammable liquid, ignited himself, and then re-entered the premises.
Details of the Incident
According to Shiva Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), police personnel, including Station House Officer Janardan Singh, the duty officer, and two constables, immediately responded to the man’s distress. They attempted to extinguish the flames by wrapping him in a blanket and subsequently transported him to the burn unit of Ursula Hospital for treatment.
During the rescue operation, the Station House Officer sustained injuries to his hands and face. A sub-inspector and two constables also suffered burn injuries while trying to save Pasi. A police official confirmed to PTI that the man entered the station engulfed in flames after setting himself alight outside.
Background and Domestic Dispute
Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident is linked to a protracted domestic dispute between Mahesh Pasi and his wife, Poonam. The couple, married in 2015, have two children. Police sources indicated that Poonam had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mahesh on Monday, accusing him of regular physical assault, particularly after consuming alcohol.
The FIR filed by Poonam detailed that Mahesh had allegedly assaulted her again on Monday, inflicting multiple injuries. A medical examination conducted at the Sarsaul Community Health Centre reportedly confirmed seven injuries on her person.
Mahesh Pasi remains under intensive care in the burn unit, his condition described as critical. The injured police officers are also receiving medical treatment. Further legal proceedings are reportedly underway as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the self-immolation incident.
The Chenab Times News Desk