Farmer sets self ablaze over land dispute in Bhopal:Dies during treatment, police send body for autopsy; his family accuses relatives of provocation

A 55-year-old farmer, identified as Wahid Khan, died after allegedly setting himself on fire due to a land dispute with relatives in Jhakariya village, falling under Berasia police station limits of rural Bhopal, the police said on Monday. Wahid, who sustained severe burn injuries, was rushed by family members to Hamidia Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning, as per police. Long-standing dispute with cousins prompts him to take the step Berasia police station in-charge Ashish Sapre told Bhaskar English that according to Khan’s family members, Wahid had been entangled in a long-running dispute over agricultural land with his cousins. On Saturday evening, he reportedly went to discuss his rightful share with his relatives, but the meeting turned violent. Family members allege that Wahid was insulted, slapped, and was beaten during the confrontation, leaving him mentally shattered. Deeply humiliated, he returned home and allegedly doused petrol over himself before setting himself ablaze. Family accuses relatives of provocation Wahid’s brother, Aslam Khan, named several individuals in connection with the incident, including Zaheer, Habib, Hanif, Sharif, Asad, Sarafat, Asif, Sadiq, Khalid, and Guddu Khan.He claimed that Wahid was only asking for his legitimate share of land when he was assaulted and demeaned. “He was slapped and humiliated. He couldn’t bear the insult and took the extreme step,” said Aslam, while demanding justice for his brother. Cops register case, begin probe The Berasia police have registered a case of unnatural death and have begun an investigation into the incident. The cops confirmed that the post-mortem was conducted at Hamidia Hospital on Monday. They added that further action would be taken based on the investigation findings and statements from the family.