Framer sets himself ablaze at Dharmapuri SP office

DHARMAPURI: A farmer set himself ablaze while lodging a petition at the office of the Dharmapuri district superintendent of police here on Wednesday. He is battling for life with 60% burn injuries at the Dharmapuri Govt Medical College and Hospital.The man, identified as G Jayaraman, 52, hails from the Raja Thoppu area near Adhiyamankottai in the district.According to a police officer, G Jayaraman, 52, of Raja Thoppu area near Adhiyamankottai in the district visited the SP office to complain about the lack of progress in a cheating case he lodged with the Adhiyamankottai police in May.“Jayaraman owns 1.5 acres of agricultural land and operates a poultry farm.

As he was facing financial difficulties, he sought his neighbour M Selvaraj’s help to pledge his land deed and secure some money. “Selvaraj, 48, subsequently mortgaged Jayaraman’s property for Rs10 lakh. He, however, handed over only Rs 3 lakh to Jayaraman, who lodged a police complaint against Selvaraj. The Adhiyamankottai police conducted an inquiry and managed to retrieve only one document from Selvaraj,” the officer said.

Frustrated by the lack of progress in the case, Jayaraman visited the SP office on Wednesday to escalate the issue, he said. “Jayaraman was waiting on the SP office premises. In a sudden act of desperation, he doused himself with kerosene and set himself on fire. We promptly extinguished the flames and rushed him to the Dharmapuri Govt Medical College and Hospital,” the officer said.A doctor said Jayaraman’s condition was critical. The Dharmapuri town police have registered a case and are inquiring.