Lakhimpur: Lakhimpur Kheri district which hit the headlines a few months ago for the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son mowing down protesting farmers under his SUV is now in the news for a man trying to self immolate near the police station complex.

Shivam Gupta, a victim said that the reason for trying to kill himself is the harassment of the police station in charge.

Gupta who has suffered serious burn injuries and is now being treated in hospital alleged the SHO of extorting money by having hand in glove with some criminals.

The video is now going viral where the man is setting himself on fire inside the police station complex. The incident has been captured by locals on the phones. Gupta is said to be an owner of a taxi. The incident took place in Gauri Fanta town on the Nepal border. The video also shows some police personnel trying to douse the fire.

Later, Gupta told media persons that some local criminals had impounded his taxi and extorted money from those who had close contact with the police.

"The local offenders used to force me not to run my car on the particular route. They beat me up on several occasions. The police officer was collecting bribes from the local criminals for not taking any action against them”, Gupta said.

After the incident, the police has not only suspended the SHO but also has ordered an enquiry.

" We have noted the victim's statement who says he runs a rural taxi in the area but is harassed by 3-4 locals. He also alleges that the local police favours these goons. The SHO of the area is being suspended and an enquiry is being ordered," Sanjeev Suman, Lakhimpur's police chief said in a statement.

One of the victim’s close relatives has complained that when they went to ask the police to release the taxi, the police sent them to first talk to the local criminals.

They had sought help from CM designate Yogi Aditynanath of Uttar Pradesh.