A woman attempted to set herself on fire on the premises of the Dhenkanal superintendent of police's office in Odisha after her complaint was allegedly ignored by two police stations. The woman, who had been seeking help for mental harassment by her husband's cousin, had initially gone to the Town police station.
A police officer said she was directed to the Sadar police station due to a jurisdiction issue. When she went to the Sadar police station, she was again told to return to the Town police station, also on the grounds of jurisdiction.
Frustrated by this alleged runaround, the woman attempted self-immolation at the SP's office. Fortunately, police personnel present there intervened promptly, restrained and rescued her. A bottle containing petrol and a matchbox was seized from the woman's possession, the police officer said.
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She was later able to speak with Dhenkanal Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar, who listened to her grievances and assured her that appropriate legal action would be taken. While speaking to the media, Sonkar said that the allegations against the relative are being investigated.
Two sub-inspectors of the two police stations, who were serving as diary charge officers (DCOs), have been suspended for "negligence" in duty.
The suspended police officers were Utkal Bijay Mohanty of Town police station and Rosalin Minz of Sadar police station, another police officer said.
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