Patna, Dec 9 (IANS): A police official in Bihar shot himself dead as a bribe had been sought from him to release his pending salary of 16 months, his wife said.

Birender Kumar, a sub-inspector posted at Khazanchi Hat police station in Purnea district, committed suicide Sunday by shooting himself with his service revolver.

"My husband was facing financial crunch as he was not paid salary for months and he was frustrated over the fact the he was not able to deposit fee for our son studying in IIT Roorkee. He was running from pillar to post and was asked to pay Rs.40,000 for the release of his pending salary. It forced him to end his life," said Kumar's wife Chanda Devi.

Two days after Kumar committed suicide for not being able to fulfill bribe demand, his pending salary was released, an official in the police headquarters here said.

Bihar Police Association general secretary Mritunjay Kumar Singh told IANS here Tuesday that Kumar committed suicide due to mental torture as he was unable to pay the fee of his son and officials of account department demanded bribe from him to release his salary.

"We have demanded action against those who demanded bribe from Kumar, who was in deep financial trouble as his salary was pending for months," Singh said.

ADG (police headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey said the Purnea superintendent of police has been directed to investigate the matter and pin responsibility.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports, the Bihar Human Rights Commission has directed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Purnea range to submit a report to the commission in the matter.

"The commission has asked him to inquire into the matter and take action against the persons responsible for insensitivity, which pushed him to such a situation," commission member Neelmani said.

He said the DIG has been asked to submit the report to the commission before Dec 19.