A 32-year-old man, who had set himself on fire in protest against the police’s apathy in investigating a complaint of rape, died at the Chittaranjan Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday.
The man was allegedly harassed by the police after he tried to file a rape complaint on behalf of a minor girl he knew. He claimed that he was harassed by two policemen for lodging a complaint against one Sheikh Sajada for raping a minor girl on October 31 last year. The police had instead filed a “false case” against him, alleging that he was involved in a burglary, he had claimed.
Demanding action against the policemen who had harassed him and calling for the transfer of the rape case to the city police’s detective department, the man set himself on fire last month outside the Karaya police station.
Action promised
Although the city police arrested Sheikh Sajada, the charges of burglary were not dropped. “We are investigating the case, but need more time as the case is complicated and sensitive. If we find any policemen guilty, action will be taken,” Joint Commissioner (Crime) Kolkata Pallab Kanti Ghosh said on Tuesday.
