Self-immolation by defaulter in Jharkhand

A man who had defaulted in paying electricity bills immolated himself near the deputy commissioner's office in Dhanbad in the early hours today.

Mohd Shamim (45), a resident of Topchanchi, 45 km from Dhanbad, had been slapped a bill of Rs 92,000 accusing him of power theft.

A suicide note reportedly found from the spot and addressed to the superintendent of police said that he was taking the "drastic step" out of frustration.

Shamim poured kerosene and set himself on fire at Randhir Verma Chawk, near the deputy commissioner's office, the police said.

He was taken to Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH) where doctors declared him "brought dead".