US citizen launches fast in Thane alleging harassment

Alleging 'inaction' on part of the local police, state administration and other agencies to redress her complaint of harassment in a property dispute, a US citizen has resorted to 'fast-until-death' in front of the office of Thane police commissioner.

Jyoti Ghag, wife of an employee with Microsoft in Washington, told reporters today that her 88-year-old father Atmaram R Ghag had been subjected to torture and confinement at his home in Thane since 1998 at the behest of the wife of her brother.

She said her brothers Manish and Paresh were also subject to mental harassment by Manish's wife and members from her maternal family.

Ghag claimed that she had written letters narrating her plight to the chief justice of India, chief justice of Bombay high court and the chief minister.

Ghag, who holds US citizenship, began her fast from April 28, said that she had to shuttle between Washington and Thane several times to resolve the issue alleging that local police had not acted against the accused for "reasons best known to them."