UP shocker: SI suspended after delivery agent attempts self-immolation over bribery demand

BAREILLY: A police sub-inspector (35) was suspended on Thursday after a departmental inquiry found him guilty of demanding a Rs 5,000 bribe to release a seized motorcycle, an incident that allegedly drove a delivery agent with a quick commerce platform to attempt self-immolation inside a police station.Akshay Kashyap (32) allegedly set himself on fire inside Baradari police station around 10.30pm on Wednesday after failing to get his motorcycle released. He sustained critical burn injuries to his abdomen, back, face and hands and was rushed to the district hospital, where his condition remains serious.Kashyap, a resident of Fatehganj Paschimi Nagar Panchayat, lived in rented accommodation near Kotwali in Bareilly. Speaking to TOI from his hospital bed, he said he had gone to Gangapur on Monday evening for a delivery and parked his motorcycle outside a shop, leaving the key in it. During that time, a man identified as Vikas Sagar allegedly attempted to flee with the bike and hit another man, Akash, injuring him.Police from Baradari station seized the motorcycle in connection with the accident. Kashyap said an accident case was initially registered against him but later withdrawn. "I visited the police station several times over the past two days, but my bike was not released. Without it, I cannot work," he said.A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said, "Following the incident, the SI was suspended by SSP Anurag Arya, and an inter-departmental inquiry has been initiated."