STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

JAIPUR, Sept. 5: Unable to bear the mental torture of being mistreated as an ‘‘untouchable’’ by his colleagues, Lal Chand Bunkar (23), a Rajasthan Handloom House employee, immolated himself near Udaipuria village in the Harmada area of Jaipur district .

Bunkar poured petrol and burnt himself to death. His half-burnt body was later found by villagers who then informed the police. Bunker had been working in RHH at Ajmeri Gate, Jaipur, for more than a year. In two suicide notes, one addressed to RHH managing director and the other to Vidhyak Nagar police station, Bunker alleged that his colleagues were treating him as an ‘‘untouchable’’.

In his note to the police, he named two employees, Ms Mamta Jain, the receptionist and Mr Parik as the ones who mistreated him the most. On the basis of the notes, police have registered a criminal case under SC/ST Act, said the SP, Mr BL Soni. We have started investigations in the case. First we’ll take statements of RHH employees, then we’ll arrest the suspects in case we find any prima facie evidence against them, Mr Soni said.