Upset over transfer, Hyderabad cop attempts immolation near police station

Angry over his transfer, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police on Friday attempted to kill himself near a police station in Hyderabad. Narasimha, attached to the Balapur police station, climbed on a water tank and set himself afire. Other police personnel doused the flames and rushed him to Apollo DRDO Hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical. The doctors said that he was already having health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure, which was making the treatment more challenging. The police official was recently transferred from Balapur police station under Rachakonda Police Commissionerate to Manchal police station under Cyberabad Commissionerate. Narasimha, a resident of Badangpet, had allegedly blamed his superior, Inspector Saidulu, for his transfer and accused him of harassment. Speaking to reporters, Narasimha's son alleged that he was being mentally harassed for several months by his superiors who were allegedly forcing him to collect 'mamool' (periodic bribes to any personnel in uniform). However, the accused police officers said that they had received a noise complaint on November 15 from a function hall, to find an allegedly drunk Narasimha at the spot, who went on to abuse the patrolling staff. They said that it was his conduct, even though he was not in uniform, which warranted the transfer orders. Meanwhile, Rachakonda commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat said that he had taken note of the incident and ordered for an inquiry by the L B Nagar DCP."I am attaching the police personnel who have been accused, to the headquarters. I have spoken to his family and we are taking care of his treatment. We will look into the allegations and once a report is submitted, we will decide the future course of action," Bhagwat told reporters. Media reports also stated that Saidulu had earlier attempted to kill himself in 2015, after he was suspended over allegations of corruption. IANS inputs