Mumbai, May 31: Upset at his daughter being denied admission in a school because of late payment of fees, the father of a five-year-old attempted to immolate himself in the middle of a prayer service in an Andheri church on May 19.
Fortunately, before the self-immolation bid could succeed, the priest noticed the act and called it to the attention of shocked churchgoers, who knocked the lighter out of the man’s hand. Eyewitnesses said Mahadeo (32, full name withheld) walked into St Blaise Church, Amboli, during the morning prayers.
He approached the priest at the altar and handed him a few documents. On stepping down, he took out a bottle of kerosene that was tucked into his trousers and poured it over his body.