‘Drunk’ man tries to immolate self in front of police

Coimbatore: A 45-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by immolating himself in front of a police outpost outside the Vellalore housing unit here on Friday night.
Police claimed the man was under the influence of alcohol when he suddenly doused himself with diesel and set himself ablaze. He suffered around 50% burn injuries and was admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for treatment.
The man was identified as M Abdul Rahman alias Anniyan Sait, 45, from the housing unit at Vellalore. He went to the police outpost around 9.30pm and told the policemen there that he had given a loan of 10,000 to Santhosh of Vellalore two months ago and accused the latter of refusing to return his money. He asked police to intervene and help him get back the money. Police personnel assured him that they would conduct an inquiry on Saturday morning, following which he walked away.
However, he soon returned to the police outpost, doused himself with diesel and set himself ablaze.
Special sub-inspector Rajadurai attached to Podanur police station was on duty at the outpost when the incident took place.
He put out the fire by pouring water and alerted 108 ambulance service. Police have registered a case under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code and initiated an inquiry.