UP shocker: Journalist's mother 'set ablaze' by 2 policemen

Barabanki (UP): The mother of a journalist was set ablaze today at Kothi police station here allegedly by two policemen after she refused to "bribe" them to free her husband, prompting authorities to suspend the two officials and register a case against them.

But the policemen have denied the charge, saying that the woman had immolated herself. The condition of Nitu Dwivedi is said to be serious as she was rushed to district hospital here and later referred to a Lucknow hospital's trauma centre.

Superintendent of Police Abdul Hamid ordered suspension of police station in-charge and sub-inspector against whom cases have been lodged under various sections of the IPC.

Additional police force has been deployed in the area in view of tension over the incident. The woman in her statement before a Magistrate and media alleged that she was abused and humiliated when she refused to meet the demand of Rs one lakh for freeing her husband.

The visuals of the woman, whose son is associated with a Hindi daily, went viral on the electronic media as the incident took place barely a month after journalist Jagendra Singh was set on fire allegedly by some UP policemen in Shahjahanpur district.

According to the police, Nitu had gone to inquire about her husband Ram Narain, who was taken into custody on Saturday. They said that station in-charge Ram Saheb Singh Yadav and sub-inspector Akhilesh Rai allegedly humiliated, abused and chased her away.

In a fit of rage, she sprinkled petrol and set herself on fire at the gate of the police station, police said adding that she was rushed to district hospital in a serious condition.

Police said Ram Narain was brought to the police station on Saturday night for questioning in connection with firing over eve teasing in Gaha village here.

When asked for comments, ruling Samajwadi Party leader and UP minister Shivpal Yadav said the entire incident will be probed and strict action will be taken against the guilty.