Sacked LU employee commits suicide, 12 held as mob stages 'dharna'

Lucknow, Aug 8 (UNI) After giving poison to family members, a dismissed Lucknow University (LU) employee committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance over prolonged financial crises here.

According to a senior police official today, the incident took place at Naubasta in Sahadatganj area, where Sanjay Shankar Manwal took poison after giving the same to his wife Vandhana and two children late yesterday.

They were rushed to hospital, where Sanjay succumbed. The condition of his family members was stated as life threatening.

According to sources, Sanjay took the extreme step as he was frustrated over being sacked by the LU administration in the near past.

Irked over the incident, a mob led by the deceased's family members staged a 'dharna' infront of the varsity by keeping his body in between the road to demand compensation.

Seeing the situation getting out of control, police reportedly lathicharged the mob.

Meanwhile, LU Vice Chancellor Ram Prakash Singh said ''Sanjay Manwal was presently not an employee of the varsity. I condole his death, but university cannot be held responsible for his suicide. He was sacked, following his criminal background.'' Swinging into action, police arrested 12 persons, including 12 LU employees. The nabbed included LU general secretary Rinku Rai.

Besides, sections 147, 148, 149, 332 and 307 of IPC, the accused were booked under seven criminal acts.

Investigations are on.

UNI