Patna, Dec. 9: A police officer posted in Purnea district allegedly shot himself dead after failing to pay bribe to get his pending salary released.

The revelation was made by the deceased's wife, Chanda Devi, to the members of the Bihar Police Association, who called on her on Monday.

BPA general secretary Mritunjay Kumar apprised the senior police officers of the widow's complaint, seeking action against the erring cops.

Birendra Kumar, a sub-inspector of police posted at Khazanchi Haat police station in Purnea district, allegedly shot himself with his service revolver on Sunday. 'My husband was under tremendous pressure owing to non-payment of salary for 16 months,' she told the BPA leaders.

Chanda said her husband was frustrated after he failed to deposit fee for their son studying in IIT-Roorkee.

'He was running from pillar to post to get his salary released but in vain. He got frustrated when the fellow cops demanded Rs 40,000 as bribe to release his pending salary,' she said, adding that this prompted him to take the extreme step. She lamented that her husband's salary was released on Tuesday, two days after he committed suicide.