Auto driver sets himself on fire

Upset over allegedly being harassed for bribe by two police constables, a 48-year-old auto driver set himself on fire in Neb Sarai area of south east Delhi, police said today.
Uday Chand, who reportedly set himself on fire yesterday evening, suffered 85 per cent burn injuries and his condition is stated to be critical, doctors treating him at a government hospital said.
Local police constables Raj Kumar and Surender Kumar have been suspended and a departmental enquiry has been initiated into the matter, police said.
Irate locals staged a protest against police at Mehrauli-Badarpur road demanding action against the accused.

Chand, in his statement, blamed Raj and Sundar for his taking the extreme step, they said.
The victim told police that he lives with his two sons, Naveen and Bhairav, at JJ colony in Neb Sarai and they had recently bought an auto and used to ply in Sainik farm and nearby areas.

Chand alleged that the two constables were constantly harassing them and even asked Rs 20,000 from them as one-time bribe for letting them enter Sainik Farm.
Naveen could pay only Rs 7,000 to the two policemen, but they demanded more money. Chand approached the constables and requested that they be allowed to pay the remaining amount in instalments.

However, the accused declined and threatened to frame them in a false case.
Yesterday, when the accused constables stopped Bhairav and Naveen and did not let them go home, Chand pleaded with the accused to release his sons.
When they did not pay heed, he went behind a truck and set himself on fire.