Suicide bid by family of 4 over harassment by cop

Police said Selvaraj (48) from Cheran Maanagar, his wife Santhi and two daughters aged 15 and 11 respectively came to the collectorate with a can of petrol around 10.30 am. 

“The family managed to bring a can of petrol as there was no police force deployed to screen people entering the collectorate campus. Furthermore, the weekly grievance day meet remained cancelled as the Model Code of Conduct is in force,” police said. 

After pouring petrol on himself and his family members, Selvaraj attempted to light a fire. However, a group of media persons, who were at the spot managed to snatch the matchbox in the nick of the time and poured water on them.

Upon receiving information, the Race Course police arrived at the spot. Inquiries revealed that Selvaraj, a detergent seller, and his family decided to take the extreme step due to harassment by a neighbour, who claims to be a cop. 

Sources said the neighbour threatened Selvaraj for rearing goats as they ate the plantation grown in front of his house. “Though we have been living there for the last 15 years, the neighbour who came just one and a half years ago is forcing us to go elsewhere,” Selvaraj told the police.   

As Selvaraj’s house is located under the Peelamedu police station limits, the Race Course police informed the local police, who then summoned the neighbour and warned him against threatening Selvaraj. Meanwhile, the Race Course police let off Selvaraj after issuing him a warning.