Visakhapatnam: Apparently disappointed over harassment by relatives for property, M. Mahalakshmi Naidu (48), accused of murdering his wife a few months ago, attempted suicide by immolating himself on a busy road in front of Pendurthi police station limits in the city on Wednesday morning.
Motorists and other passersby made no attempt to step in to prevent the disaster. Naidu sustained over 65 per cent burns and was admitted to a city hospital in critical condition.
Naidu, who was a security guard, was arrested for killing his wife M. Rajeswari (40) in a fit of rage after a heated argument on October 14, 2016. He was released on conditional bail recently.
For past few days, Naidu was said to be living in fear that his brothers-in-law would kill him to avenge their sister’s death. Recently, his children Swapna Seetha and Sai Gunavarun with the support of women’s organisations lodged a complaint against him with Pendurthi police station stating that their life was in danger as Naidu had threatened to kill them.
But, Naidu’s relatives alleged that his brothers-in-law with the support of his off-springs had been trying to register his land worth Rs1 crore in their name. They said harassment over property drove him to attempt suicide.
Pendurthi inspector J. Murali said that at 10 am on Wednesday, Naidu came to a busy road, doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire. The suicide attempt was recorded on the CCTV camera at the junction.
Motorists, people boarded in autorickshaws and those standing on the road were mere onlookers as flames engulfed Naidu. A GVMC water tanker too passed that route. Police registered a case against Naidu and investigation was on, he added.
