Congress candidate for Gajwel assembly constituency, Vanteru Pratap Reddy allegedly tried to immolate himself after a search was conducted at his residence in Hyderabad’s Kompally. His attempt was however, foiled by the police present at the spot, police said on Tuesday.
The search was conducted following a complaint, according to which cash meant for distribution to voters was hidden at his house, they said.
A flying squad comprising election officials reached Reddy's house late Monday night along with police, but he and
his supporters prevented them from discharging their duty leading to some tense moments.
Reddy immediately doused himself with petrol during the search and tried to set himself on fire, but the bid was thwarted by the police, they said.
"Reddy along with his supporters misbehaved with the officials on duty and also with police," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Balanagar Zone) PV Padmaja said, adding nothing was found during the search.
A case of attempted suicide, obstructing public servant in the discharge of duty and other charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were registered against Reddy and his supporters, the official said.
On Sunday evening, Reddy had held a sit-in protest at the office of the Election Returning Officer in Gajwel, the
constituency represented by caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, even as police evicted him.
His phones were being tapped and his supporters were being harassed, he had alleged.
Telangana will go to polls on December 7 and the votes will be counted on December 11.
