Bhubaneswar, Oct. 18: A 23-year-old youth allegedly tried to commit suicide in front of the state secretariat today.

The youth, identified as Nirakar Sahoo, a native of Nuasasan at Khuntuni in Cuttack district, tried to take his life by consuming poison. He allegedly took the step after failing to woo a woman he liked.

Cops from Capital police station later rescued Nirakar and rushed him to Capital Hospital. "We have admitted him to hospital and also found a letter from the victim - which suggests that he might have taken such an extreme step due to a failed love affair," said Capital police station inspector-in-charge Manas Ranjan Garanaik.

The youth alleged that he was being falsely fabricated in a police case. "I came in contact with a couple, who used to stay in our neighbourhood, and later became friendly with them. During this period, I had also given Rs 50,000 to the man. However, his mother asked me to take her daughter-in-law away since her son used to torture his wife," said Nirakar.

Later, the youth brought the woman along with him in a slum and started staying there. But, the woman's husband then lodged a police complaint against him. "Gradually, I fell in love with her, but the man is opposed to our relationship," he said.

The youth also alleged that someone had kidnapped the woman. "A few days ago, she called me and asked me to meet her immediately. Later, I found her mobile phone switched off. After a few days, I received a call from a number, and the caller identified himself as an IPS officer and demanded Rs 5 lakh to release her," said Nirakar.

The police said they were waiting for the youth to get stable. "Though many people were present at the spot, none of them tried to prevent the youth from taking such a step," said a police official.