The farmer from Osmanabad, who had set himself ablaze near the Inox gate of the Maharashtra legislature building on August 23, succumbed to burn injuries on Monday at JJ Hospital. Subhash Deshmukh, 56, had self-immolated over a land dispute with his brother and had sustained 45 per cent burns. The incident had rocked the two houses of the state legislature.
After the incident six days ago, he was rushed to the state-run Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital. He was later shifted to JJ hospital, where he was admitted to the burns ward. Doctors said he had sustained injuries mostly on his upper body and had developed septic shock.
A doctor said, “The patient was admitted to the critical care unit with first to third-degree burns. Despite our best efforts, we could not save him and he died around 11.45 am on Monday.”
In the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had given details of the incident after the Opposition’s demand. He had said that Deshmukh was in a dispute with his brother and father, and had made an attempt on his life a few months ago as well. He had said the situation was unfortunate and the government will keep a watch on the situation.
As per a PTI report, a police official had said that on-duty security personnel had doused the flames and found him to be conscious when he was rushed to GT Hospital. Later, the Opposition had staged a protest against the government’s treatment of farmers. Political leaders had said that the new state government was busy hoarding portfolios when the farmers were burdened with a crisis triggered by rains and floods.
The deputy CM said he has directed officials to address the issue if it is at the official level.
"Prima facie, he faced 15 to 20 per cent burn injuries. The incident is unfortunate and the government is monitoring the situation," Fadnavis said.
A police official earlier said security personnel on duty in the area doused the flames and rushed the man to the GT Hospital.
