Dhenkanal: A man and his son allegedly attempted self-immolation at the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Friday.
According to preliminary information, the father-son duo made the attempt while alleging harassment by local police in handling a land dispute case.
The two, identified as Padmanabh Rout and his son Saroj Rout of Ranipal village under the jurisdiction of Dhenkanal Sadar police station, reportedly poured petrol on themselves and tried to set fire inside the SP office premises.
Saroj, a second-year student in a law college, alleged that he and his family members were subjected to harassment by police in connection with a dispute over ancestral property.
The family members claimed that both parties involved in the land dispute had informed the Bhapur police about the matter. However, the investigating officer indulged in partiality and registered a case against Saroj and his family members, they alleged.
The family further claimed that the police action adversely affected Saroj’s academic future and career prospects. Distressed over harassment, the father-son reached the SP office and resorted to the extreme step of attempting self-immolation.
However, alert staff present at the SP office intervened swiftly and prevented the two from setting themselves on fire. Both were rescued and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Dhenkanal for medical examination and necessary treatment.
