The police on Monday arrested two more suspects in connection with the alleged self-immolation by an autorickshaw driver from Elathur following physical and mental assaults.
K. Rishaj, 32, and Mohammed Nazik, 37, were held on the charge of beating up N.K. Rajesh, who later attempted self-immolation and succumbed to injuries at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The two were also charged with abetting suicide, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation. Four other suspects in the incident had already been arrested.
It was on September 15 that Rajesh was admitted to the medical college. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. According to the Elathur police, he had attempted suicide unable to withstand the physical and mental torture from a local gang owing allegiance to the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU). They had reportedly opposed his autorickshaw service from the Elathur area.
Rajesh was new to the field as he had been earlier working as a mussel catcher. He took up the new vocation after he faced setback in his work. The vehicle was purchased availing bank loan. His family members and relatives said Rajesh was mentally upset as he faced continuous harassment from CITU workers in the area.
Rajesh’s wife had told the police that she too had been threatened. The police took up the case after Rajesh’s statement was recorded by a magistrate.
The Elathur station house officer said there were more than 10 persons suspected of involvement in the incident, and that all the remaining suspects would be traced soon. He had been beaten up by the gang, and details could be confirmed after receiving the post-mortem report, he said.
Meanwhile, the CITU district leadership denied the charge and claimed that the victim was taken to the hospital with their support.