Dhenkanal: A man and his son attempted self-immolation at the office of Superintendent of Police (SP) in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Friday, accusing local police of harassment and bias in handling a land dispute case.
The duo, identified as Padmanabh Rout and his son Saroj Rout of Ranipal village under Dhenkanal Sadar police limits, reportedly poured petrol on themselves inside the SP office premises. Saroj, a second-year law student at Madhusudan Law College, alleged that he and his family were subjected to harassment by police in connection with a dispute over ancestral property.
According to the family, both parties involved in the land dispute had informed the Bhapur police about the matter. However, they claimed that the investigating officer acted in a biased manner and registered a case against Saroj and his family members.
The family alleged that the police action was adversely affecting Saroj’s academic future and career prospects. Unable to bear the harassment, the father-son duo resorted to the extreme step of attempting self-immolation in front of the SP office.
A major tragedy was averted after staff present at the SP office intervened promptly and prevented them from setting themselves on fire. Both Padmanabh and Saroj were rescued and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Dhenkanal for medical examination and treatment.