3 Police Officials Suspended As UP Couple Sets Themselves Ablaze

Claiming police apathy, a couple from Mathura set themselves on fire outside the police station.

A man and his wife set themselves on fire outside a police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. Representational image of a crime scene. 

(Photo: iStock)

Three police officials including a sub-inspector have been suspended after the video of a man and his wife setting themselves on fire outside a police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district on Wednesday, 28 August, went viral on social media.

The couple alleged inaction by the police on their complaint against some village strongmen who allegedly harassed them, officials said.

They reached Surir police station in Mathura in the morning after pouring kerosene oil on their bodies and set themselves on fire there.

According to Mathura's Rural Superintendent of Police Aditya Shukla the couple suffered serious injuries and have been referred to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, reported NDTV.

“Forty-year-old Joginder and his wife Chandra Vati received serious burn injuries. They were first admitted to a private hospital here, before being referred to Delhi Safdarjung Hospital.”

Aditya Shukla, Mathura’s Rural Superintendent of Police as quoted by NDTV

What Happened?

"The case was related to an 23 August incident in which an FIR with names of accused was registered. The couple claimed there was no action by the police," Mathura's Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur said.

Three policemen have been suspended, according to NDTV.

“Sub-inspector Deepak Nagar of Surir police station has been suspended with immediate effect and investigation launched over the alleged laxity by the police.”

Shalabh Mathur, Senior Superintendent of Police

Mathur said a detailed probe is also being done to find out if police took no action despite registering an FIR on the couple's complaint.

The SSP said strict action would be taken against the police officials, if anyone of them are found negligent in discharge of their duties.

Meanwhile, a special police team was formed to arrest the people accused in the FIR of harassing and assaulting the couple, he said.

(With Inputs from NDTV and PTI)