Man sets self on fire close to South Block

Sending security personnel into a tizzy, a 30-year-old man allegedly set himself on fire inSena Bhawan Park near a high security zone behind South Block. HT Correspondent reports.

Sending security personnel into a tizzy, a 30-year-old man allegedly set himself on fire inSena Bhawan Park near a high security zone behind South Block on Saturday.

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Police said Abhishek Kumar Choubey was trying to meet the Prime Minister at his Race Course Road residence for the past few days, but was not permitted by the security guards. Choubey is a resident of Ranchi, Jharkhand.

According to police, the incident happened at about 3:25 pm. “Choubey walked into the South Block, poured kerosene over himself and lit a matchstick. Some autorickshaw drivers at the spot threw mud and put a blanket over him,” said a senior police officer.

A news channel cameraperson was at the spot and zoomed on him. On the tape, Choubey said, “I work as a computer professional in Kuwait. I came to Delhi five days ago. I have gone to the Prime Minister’s residence every day for the last five days. There is something I need to tell him, but the security guards would not let me in.” But he did not disclose what he wanted to convey to the PM.

The cameraperson, who did not want to be quoted, said policemen on duty watched the whole incident but didn’t do anything.

Choubey’s admitted in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital with 98-per cent burns.