VARANASI: Denied a chance to file his nomination for the corporation elections, a 40-year-old man tried to immolate himself here on Monday, allegedly after being provoked by a television channel reporter to take the extreme step as a protest.
The condition of Ghurelal Sonekar, a vegetable vendor and a BSP worker, was stated to be critical with 90% burn injuries.
An FIR was also registered against the reporter and two of his associates. Reports said Sonekar had gone to Bhelupur zonal office to submit his papers as a candidate from his ward on the concluding day of filing of nominations.
The election office staff reportedly asked him to complete his form by attaching the caste certificate before submission. But, before Sonekar could complete this formality, the time for filing nomination was over and his papers were not accepted.
An annoyed Sonekar then met the district magistrate to lodge a formal complaint against the election staff. He later went to Lanka crossing and tried to immolate himself.
Several people saw Sonekar preparing for the act but fled the scene when he lit the fire. Some local shopkeepers, however, rushed to save him.
By the time they managed to extinguish the fire, Sonekar had sustained more than 90% burn injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition was stated to be critical.
Eyewitnesses said Sonekar was provoked by a television channel reporter to follow this style of protest of self immolation to draw the attention of district officials.
On the basis of their complaint, the police lodged an FIR against the said reporter and two of his associates for provoking Sonekar.
Lanka station officer Manoj Pant said senior authorities of the TV channel had been intimated about the FIR and further action would be taken after receiving their reply.
