Ludhiana trader dies by suicide at police station after being duped by godman

A Ludhiana-based trader died after setting himself on fire inside the toilet of Khanna City-1 police station, about 50 kilometres from here, after being duped by a self-styled godman, police said on Tuesday, August 4.

Police said the man was struggling with financial problems and had approached self-proclaimed godman Charan Das at Khanna for help.

Dass allegedly took Rs 73,000 from him on the promise of ending his problems and changing his fortunes, but nothing changed.

When the trader asked for his money back, a dispute broke out, and he filed a complaint against Das.

Both were called to the police station on Monday, August 3, for questioning. During the inquiry, the trader went to the washroom and locked himself inside. A few minutes later, he poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze, police said.

On seeing smoke coming from the toilet, some people and the personnel rushed to the spot. He was immediately taken to hospital with serious burn injuries but succumbed to the injuries there.

The SHO of the police station informed senior officials, following which his body was sent for post-mortem.

Khanna city police have registered a case against the self-styled godman Charan Dass under various sections of the BNS.

(With PTI inputs)