A man accused of robbery attempted suicide by consuming acid in the police lock up in Palsana taluka on Monday. He was shifted to the New Civil Hospital at Surat for further treatment where he is reported to be out of danger.

The police had arrested Ramkaran Soni (25), a resident of Kadodara taluka in Surat suspecting his involvement in providing a tip off to two persons who had robbed one Mahendra Singhvi, the owner of Mamta Dyeing Mills at Kadodara of Rs 13 lakh on Friday.

During interrogation, Soni confessed to have given a tip-off to his friends who threatened Mahendra at gun-point to hand over the cash, while the latter was returning home from his factory.

After the incident, Mahendra contacted the Palsana police station and lodged a robbery complaint.

During investigations, the police found the statements of Soni and the victim’s car driver, contradictory, as he was also present at the spot when the robbery took place.

On Monday, the police arrested him and began further investigations. During his custody, Soni went to the bathroom and attempted suicide by consuming acid. The other inmates immediately started shouting when they spotted Soni lying on the floor. Lockup In-charge Bhagwanbhai immediately rushed Soni to the Sanjeewani Hospital at Kadodara and later shifted him to Surat.

Palsana Sub-Inspector Vinod Anand said: “After primary investigations, we found that Soni went into the bathroom and consumed the acid. We suspect he might have done this so that he could be released. We have arrested him under charges of robbery.”