Tension prevailed near the State Human Rights Commission office in Nampally on Tuesday after a 28-year-old house help attempted self-immolation, alleging harassment by the police in connection with a gold theft case.
The woman, identified as Srivani, arrived at the office carrying petrol, and caused a commotion. Police personnel present at the spot quickly intervened and seized the petrol, preventing any harm.
According to officials, Srivani was under enquiry by Gandhi Nagar police in a case relating to the alleged theft of a gold mangalsutra weighing around 4.25 tolas from a residence in Kavadiguda.
The complaint was lodged by K. Indira Priyadarshini, a 42-year-old home-maker residing in Necklace Pride Apartments, who reported that the ornament went missing after being last worn on March 9 and kept in her bedroom.
Police said that during the relevant period, the housemaid was the only person with access to the bedroom. She was working with the family intermittently for nearly four years and had resumed work in February, attending regularly from March 2. However, she was absent between March 10 and 12, returned briefly until March 15, and then stopped reporting for work.
