The Lucknow police on Thursday (30 July) arrested Congress leader Anup Patel for allegedly abetting the self-immolation attempt by a woman and her daughter from Amethi on 17 July.

The mother Safia and her daughter Gudiya, had attempted self-immolation outside the UP Lok Bhawan to protest against police inaction over a dispute over a drain in their home in Amethi.

The two were admitted to the Civil hospital where the mother succumbed to her burn injuries on July 22.

The police investigation has revealed that they were instigated to do so by Congress and AIMIM leaders. An earlier report had quoted Lucknow police commissioner, Sujeet Pandey, as saying that investigation into the matter has revealed that the victim women Safia (50) who suffered 60 per cent burns while her daughter Gudiya (28) who suffered 15 percent of burns were instigated for immolation attempt in front of Lok Bhawan by Amethi district president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Kadir Khan.

It was also revealed that Patel had instigated the mother and daughter to attempt self-immolation. Patel had also informed the media to reach the Lok Bhawan even before the incident.

Speaking to the media, Pandey had said, “It has come to light that it was done as per a criminal conspiracy in which some people played key role in instigating the women. We have registered FIR against 4 people including an MIM leader Kadir Khan & a Congress leader Anup Patel: Sujeet Pandey, Lucknow Police Commissioner.”

Three police personnel in Amethi were suspended for negligence of duty.

With IANS Inputs