Former Budhlada MLA among six booked for abetting suicide

PATIALA: Six persons, including a former Congress MLA from Budhlada, have been booked for abetment of suicide after a 32-year-old man set himself ablaze in Patran town of Patiala district.

Sandeep Kumar, who attempted self-immolation on Sunday evening, succumbed to his burn injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh on Monday. The police said Sandeep suspected his wife Saleena, a resident of Bathinda, of having alleged illicit relationship with Rakesh Kumar, owner of a private school, where she used to work.

Patran station house officer (SHO) Amanpal Singh Virk said a case under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered on the complaint of Sandeep’s mother Kanta Rani, against Saleena, her brothers Mohit Kumar, Kuldeep Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, chairman of the school, Veena Rani, school director and former MLA Mangat Rai Bansal, who is a close relative of Rakesh.

“The case against Bansal was registered on allegations only, and Bansal’s involvement in the case is yet to be investigated,” Virk said.

Police said on September 13, the deceased went to his wife’s school and started creating ruckus, following which the owner along with other allegedly thrashed the victim. Following this, Sandeep’s wife went to her parent’s place. On September 15, the school authorities registered complaint against Sandeep for creating ruckus and misbehaving with female staff in the school.

Meanwhile, the police said the Sandeep went to Bathinda to call a truce with his wife. But his in-laws allegedly insulted and thrashed him. He remained admitted local civil hospital from September 18 to 24. The SHO said Sandeep’s family alleged that Bathinda police failed to register case against his in-laws.

“The family of the victim alleged former MLA interfered in the matter and influenced the police not to register any case despite the victim was assaulted by his own brother-in-law and others,” the police said.

Bansal could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.