A 42-year-old auto-rikshaw driver and also a Shiv-Sena activist of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction, tried to kill himself in front of Shinde's house in Thane on Saturday at around 11:30 am. The police personnel present at the site foiled his attempt, said a police officer from Wagle Estate police station.
Wagle Estate police station Senior Inspector J R Rathod said, "The auto-rickshaw driver identified as Vinay Pandey attempted to immolate himself by pouring kerosene on him outside the chief minister's bungalow as his rickshaw driving license was cancelled. The police officials present at the site foiled his suicide attempt. As per the initial investigation, his license was cancelled by RTO as multiple cases have been filed against him."
Vinay Pandey suffered from depression
Rathod informed, "Vinay Pandey lives in the Indiranagar area of Wagle Estate. He is the campaigner of Shiv-Sena's (Eknath Shinde faction) North India Cell. As his family's financial condition was not good and he was not getting his rickshaw batch and permit even after applying several times he wanted to end his life. We have detained him and and are taking preventive action against him."
Meanwhile, a video of the incident in which the driver can be seen and heard shouting at the top of his voice went viral on social media.
"The chief minister was not present in the house when the incident took place," said Rathod.
