Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Sep 18: A man who doused himself with petrol after which he was engulfed in flames inside Mahamayi Mahasathi temple at Gangolli on Thursday September 17 afternoon, who was admitted into hospital in a critical condition, breathed his last on Friday September 18 morning.
Raghvenda Kharvi (35), a resident of Daku Hithlu, Gangolli, had poured petrol on himself in an attempt to end his life. He sustained critical injuries and was admitted to hospital, where he passed away.
Several people who were present at the spot had tried to save Kharvi when he was burning inside the temple. Out of them, Laxman Kharvi and Janardan Khari from Gangolli had suffered severe burn injuries. Both have been admiitted to a hospital at Manipal.
Kharvi had all of a sudden entered the temple, and emptied a can of petrol he had brought, on himself. Fire from a pedestal lamp nearby had ignited fire and he was engulfed in flames, at which people had rushed to save him.
It is said that Raghavendra Kharvi, who claimed that he could invoke the divine spirits on himself, as is customary in some temples of his community, had been complaining that the temples were not permitting him to take over the mantle of the official temple 'Patri'. It is said that he lost balance of mind on this issue and made the suicide attempt above which proved fatal.
Raghavendra was a welder by profession.
Gangolli polcie have registered a case.