Congressman, ex-Rajasthan governor’s son held for abetting suicide of woman in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Alok Prasad Pasi, a Congress leader and son of former Rajasthan governor Sukhdev Prasad, was arrested by Lucknow Police on Wednesday night in connection with the incident in which a 35-year-old woman set herself ablaze outside the BJP office on Vidhan Sabha Marg.
Police claimed that Alok, who is the chairperson of ST/SC cell of UP Congress, had provoked the woman to take the drastic step.
The woman, who suffered 90% burns on Tuesday, died at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (SPM) Hospital in Hazratganj on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner of police, central zone, Somen Barma said Alok was picked up from Gomtinagar and a team from Maharajganj police was coming to interrogate him, following inputs about his possible role in the incident. “On the basis of questioning, charges against him will be decided,” he added.
“Alok has been arrested and booked under the charges of abatement to suicide of the woman. We are collecting evidences from Maharajganj police in the case,” said Barma.
Chief medical superintendent of Dr SPM hospital, Dr SK Nanda said the victim’s dying declaration could not be taken as she remained unconscious till the end.
Superintendent of police, Maharajganj, Pradeep Gupta said, “We have clues suggesting Alok’s involvement in the case. For past several days, he was frequently seen with the woman. His call detail records will be checked. We have shared this information with Lucknow Police and they will register FIRs if they find the inputs correct,” said Gupta.
The woman got married in 2014 but later separated from her husband. She then started living with a man from another community in Maharajganj. “After three years, the man left for Middle-East and his family refused to let her stay with them,” said a police official privy to the probe.
Sources said a few ago, Alok had organised a protest for the woman outside the residence of her partner. Police claim having procured the footage of Alok instigating the woman to set herself ablaze.