Accusing police of bribery, man kills self before DSP office

Suffering 80 per cent burns, he died at the hospital later in the day, following which the officers he named have been booked for abetment of suicide.

In a post on social media, Nellaiappan alleged that Mahabalipuram DSP and Tiruporur Inspector threatened him seeking bribe and that an AIADMK functionary who owns the bars was charging an exorbitant rent.

Originally hailing from Tirunelveli, Nellaiappan was running a few bars in Tiruporur. Around 11 am on Tuesday, he went to the DSP office and raised slogans seeking to close Tasmac bars. Suddenly he set himself ablaze after pouring kerosene on his body. The personnel at the DSP office doused the fire and rushed him to Chengalpattu GH. From there, he was shifted to the Kilpauk Medical College, where he succumbed.

He had posted a video on Facebook saying that AIADMK functionary Anandan asked him to pay Rs 78,000 per day as the rent for six bars. He named Tiruporur inspector Kannan and Mahabalipuram DSP Subburaj, charging them of collecting a monthly bribe of more than Rs 1 lakh. “The inspector was also getting vegetables, chicken and mutton every week. He also made me buy an AC and heater, apart from asking me to pay advance for his rented house. The DSP is collecting Rs 1.2 lakh every month,” he said.

If he failed to give what they demanded, the officers threatened him, he alleged. Nellaiappan requested Kancheepuram SP Santosh Hadimani to take action against bars that are functioning beyond the permitted time and also arrest those dealing with ganja. He also asked the Chief Minister and Opposition Leader to take steps to implement prohibition.