A man in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur reportedly set himself on fire after the police allegedly refused to file a complaint regarding the theft of his pickup van.
Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav took to social media on Tuesday to share a video capturing the tragic incident.
Demanding swift action in the case, the Samajwadi Party chief wrote on X, “The young man who immolated himself in front of the SP office due to the refusal to register a complaint of pickup theft in Shahjahanpur must receive urgent, high-quality medical care. Those accountable for driving him to such a desperate act should face strict legal consequences for abetting suicide.”
Citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports on the crime rates, Yadav highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in UP.
“When even basic FIRs are neglected, the state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh seems dire as indicated by NCRB reports. If every crime were truly reported, one wonders if Uttar Pradesh’s touted ‘Amrit Kaal’ would be ashamed enough to consider suicide.”
According to reports, the man, identified as Tahir, approached the police as well the SP to seek help after his van was stolen, but his pleas were allegedly ignored.
Tahir allegedly set himself on fire outside the SP officeamid cries for help by his family members. Quick intervention by the police officers present at the spot managed to extinguish the fire, and Tahir was rushed to the hospital.
Taking aim at UP Chief Minister Uogi Adityanath, Yadav had earlier pointed out that people are being shot dead inside courts and the government continued to claim that the law and order and crime scene in Uttar Pradesh is good.
“NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data should be brought forth. Today, UP is No. 1 in crimes against women, No. 1 in custodial deaths, No. 1 in terms of the number of notices received from the National Human Rights Commission, No. 1 in fake encounters,” Yadav had said.