Man tries to set self afire in front of minister’s house

KANPUR: A man set himself afire outside the residence of industrial development minister Satish Mahana in Chakeri on Thursday even as his wife and minor daughter looked on. He alleged that police hadn’t taken action against local goons who had assaulted his wife publicly on October 17.
Police rushed to the spot and removed his t-shirt, which had partially caught fire. The three were taken to Chakeri police station for questioning.The man was identified as Rakesh Soni, a resident of Sanigwan area. He had informed the local media earlier of his attempt at self-immolation.
Rakesh Soni of Sanigwan area of Chakeri, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter reached minister Satish Mahana’s residence in an auto-rickshaw. Then, Rakesh, who had doused himself with kerosene, set himself a fire. Policemen rushed to his rescue and remove his t-shirt,” Chakeri SHO Pramod Shukla said. He said Soni alleged that he was disappointed over police inaction against the local goons, who had assaulted his wife. He alleged that instead of taking action, Chakeri police had booked him for disrupting peace. “The man suffered minor burns. More details will be known after investigation,” the SHO said.