A septuagenarian man and his wife attempted to set an SDM on fire on Monday in Sikandra Rao tehsil of Hathras district.
The SDM, identified as Shiv Dayal, saved himself as he fled the scene. The elderly couple was reportedly agitated over a land dispute with their nephew.
Superintendent of police of Hathras JK Shahi told Hindustan Times, “Dharam Prakash (70) and his wife Saroj (65) of Dhansoli village have a land dispute with their nephew. The couple had lodged complaints in this regard with all higher authorities, including the SDM, and even complained to the chief minister about carelessness of the tehsil administration.”
“On Monday morning, the couple reached tehsil office with petrol in a milk can. Initially, they poured petrol on themselves. However, when the SDM called them to listen to their grievances, they poured petrol on him and Saroj tried to burn the SDM by lighting a matchstick. Somehow, the SDM ran away from the site and saved himself. Police have arrested the couple,” Shahi added.
On being contacted, Shiv Dayal told Hindustan Times Dharam Prakash had submitted a request with them regarding the dispute and an inquiry was under
way. “Today when I was listening to their grievances, they poured petrol on me and tried to kill me. I saved myself by running away from there,” he said.