Drunk-rider sets himself on fire, dies as cops refuse to release his scooter

Bengaluru, Feb 26: In a shocking incident, a 40-year-old man, who was caught by police during a drunk-driving check in South Bengaluru, doused himself with petrol and then put a match in front of the Mico Layout traffic police station when police refused to release his scooter.

A critically injured Manikanta alias Mani (40) was shifted to the Victoria Hospital where he breathed his last hours later without responding to any treatment. Manikanta hailed from Tamil Nadu and worked as a truck driver at a supermarket on Bannerghatta Road. He was residing at CK Palya near Silk Board. The family members complained that police harassment had driven him to commit suicide.

Manikanta lost control of his TVS Jupiter near the Shoppers Stop junction around 2.15 am. Three policemen from the Mico Layout traffic police, led by assistant sub-inspector Murthy, were checking motorists for drunk-driving and saw Manikanta falling off the bike. They rushed to the spot and asked him to take a breathalyser test, but he refused. The policemen seized his scooter and asked him to produce the documents.

Manikanta came to the police station 20 minutes later and asked the police to return the scooter. He also kept screaming about how the police were corrupt. The policemen warned him and asked him to return in the morning to get the scooter. He left but came back after some time. Carrying a bottle of petrol, he poured it on himself and set himself ablaze.

Police later learnt that the victim had borrowed the scooter from a friend named Ravi. Ravi had initially refused to lend him the scooter, saying he had to distribute wedding invites but gave in on Manikanta's requests. Police informed Ravi after finding his wedding card on the scooter.