A total poll boycott by Thakkar Bappa Colony residents

Eight days after refusing to claim Rithadia's body from the morgue at Sion Hospital, the family is set to conduct the final rites on his body today

Registering their support for the 42-year-old Pancharam Rithadia's fight for justice, thousands of residents of Thakkar Bappa Colony in Chembur boycotted the Assembly elections on Monday. Eight days after refusing to claim Rithadia's body from the morgue at Sion Hospital, the family is set to conduct the final rites on his body today. The refusal was a mark of protest against the delay by the police in finding his 17-year-old daughter Aarti who went missing seven months ago.

Rajendra Rithadia, a relative of the family, said, "We don't see the point of voting since no one is helping us secure justice for my uncle and cousin." Aarti went missing seven months ago went missing from there and the Nehru Nagar police had registered a case of kidnapping the same day. Her frustrated father committed suicide on October 13.

Puran Sonariwal, a 40-year-old regular voter, pointed out that the politicians and government had failed Rithadia's family. "No one intervened and the police kept saying that she would come back home once she turns 18 [hinting at her having eloped]," he said. Johrilal Tungaria, another local resident, said, "We don't even know if she's even alive. We are just continuing Rithadia's protest."

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!