‘‘By the time a security guard rushed in to save him, it was too late,’’ the police said.

Jain denied reports that Mishra had announced his immolation bid.

‘‘There was no such announcement. His wife was taken aback when she heard of the incident. She said that her husband had gone out saying that he will be back soon,’’ the SP said.

IG (Headquarters) and police spokesman Anil Sinha said that an independent probe would be conducted and whoever was found guilty would be punished.

This is not the first incident when television channels have been accused of engaging in pro-active roles in their bid to capture sensational images.

Earlier, television channels were charged with abetting the public humiliation of a professor who fell in love with his student.

On that occasion, Patna SSP Kundan Krishnan had accused the media of overstepping their limits.