Man sets self on fire near Rajghat

A 32-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by setting himself ablaze metres away from the entrance of Rajghat in central Delhi on Tuesday evening.

A 32-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by setting himself ablaze metres away from the entrance of Rajghat in central Delhi on Tuesday evening.

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Police said Dinesh Kumar Yadav from Sarfuddin Village in Patna received 80% burns after he set himself on fire outside Kisan Ghat, adjacent the memorial at 4:10pm.

"Officers from a PCR van stationed nearby saw the man engulfed in flames around 4pm and rushed to douse the flames using some blankets they had with them," said a senior police officer.

Sources said Yadav could be identified through a NREGA card found on him. He was rushed to the adjacent Lok Nayak Hospital, where he was admitted at 4:30pm.

Senior police officer could not be contacted despite repeated attempts but eyewitnesses claimed the man was shouting 'Anna Zindabad, Inquilab Zindabad and Vande Mataram' before he set himself ablaze.

"We have informed his family; they are expected to reach the Capital by tomorrow. Investigations into the case are underway," the officer added.