Self-immolation bid near Rajnath's house

A 25-year-old drug addict tried to set himself on fire outside the official bungalow of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on central Delhi’s Ashoka Road on Friday, police said.

The man has been identified as Dabbu Singh, a vagabond. Police said he poured kerosene over his body around 5.15 pm and was also carrying a matchbox.

“Security personnel deployed at Singh’s residence overpowered and stopped him on time,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal.

Dabbu was admitted to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital as he fell unconscious when security personnel caught hold of him.

He was apparently under the influence of some drugs.

“The reason behind his self-immolation bid was not known till late in the evening,” Narwal added.

Dabbu’s identity was revealed after a doctor spoke with him. Police have informed Dabbu’s father, who runs a tea stall near Parliament Street.

Dabbu had jumped the iron fencing on the road divider from Jai Singh Road side and was stopped on the road outside the minister’s house. He was spotted by the staff of a police control room van.

During questioning, Dabbu’s father told police that he is a drug addict.

“There were cut marks on his hands and we have asked doctors to see whether he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the incident took place. Further investigations are underway,” Narwal said.

Dabbu is yet to be questioned. Police denied that Dabbu was part of any demonstration or protest being organised at central Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.