The police on Thursday detained members of a Muslim family, when they attempted a self-immolation during the Republic Day Parade at Shivaji Park in north-central Mumbai.

Eight members of a Muslim family created a stir during the Republic Day flag hoisting function, by attempting to set themselves on fire by pouring kerosene on their bodies. However, the alert police personnel present on the occasion foiled their attempt and detained all of them.

Members of Shamsher Khan from Parbhani district in Maharashtra were seeking “justice” for the death of Khan in police custody.

Khan (33) was killed in police custody on December 25, 2016  allegedly due to beating he suffered at the hands of the police personnel.

Khan;s family members had on Wednesday evening staged a dharna in front of the Azad Maidan police station and they attempted suicide at Shivaji Park on Thursday.

“Despite our efforts to seek justice, my husband’s death has not yet been looked into. Nor have we yet been paid compensation,” Khan’s wife Akihla Begum said.   

“For nearly 13 months, we are fighting for justice to my brother. We have also Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis and Minister Dipak Kesarkar who promised us that justice, but nothing happened.

Yesterday, we tried to meet the Governor but were not allowed to meet him. We staged a dharna in front of Azad Maidan,” the deceased brother Yasin Khan said.

Shamsher Khan was a car dealer in Parbhani. He is survived by wife, three children and other family members.

After being detained in the police station, the Khan family members were left later in the evening. “We have not registered any case against them for attempting self-immolation,” a police officer from Shivaji Park said.