Abetment charges in death by suicide near Parliament

New Delhi: Delhi Police has registered a case of abetment in the suicide of a 26-year-old man, Jitendra, who set himself ablaze near Parliament in Dec last year. Four people, including a couple, have been named suspects. The FIR was lodged on a complaint filed by Jitendra's father Mahipal, a resident of Chhaprauli in UP's Baghpat, alleged his son was falsely implicated in cases and abused by the suspects, leading him to take the extreme step. According to Mahipal's complaint, on May 31, 2021, a group of people arrived at his house armed with weapons and physically assaulted his daughter and daughter-in-law, resulting in the latter suffering a miscarriage. On April 17, 2022, one of the suspects conspired with police and filed a false case against his sons, who were subsequently jailed, the complaint said. "On May 9, 2024, while I was going with my family, two of the suspects attempted to kill me by hitting me with their car," Mahipal alleged. On Dec 23 last year, three suspects used casteist slurs against Jitendra and threatened to kill him if he didn't settle the case, he claimed. On Dec 25, Jitendra set himself on fire near Parliament and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital two days later. Police registered a case under sections 108(1) ( abetment to suicide ) and 3(5) (common intention) of BNS. However, no one has been arrested yet and the inquiry is still on. According to police, Jitendra travelled to Delhi to seek free legal assistance. Cops recovered a burnt bag containing documents that revealed his alleged involvement in at least three cases, dating back to May 2021, April 2022 and May 2024. "The cases were related to a scuffle with another party, and all of them were chargesheeted," said an officer. The inquiry also revealed that Jitendra brought petrol from his house in UP. "He had a bike from which he took the petrol and then travelled to Delhi," said the officer. Police found a general class ticket, worth Rs 15, from Baraut to Shahdara. Jitendra reached Delhi at 1pm on Dec 25 and wandered around till he attempted self-immolation around 3.30pm, said the officer. "He sat on the footpath, took out a bottle from the bag he was carrying, poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire," he added. Passersby started screaming and called for help, prompting police and other staff from security agencies to rush to save him.