Noted social worker and environment activist Alex Sandra Jhala was brutally assaulted by her neighbours late on Monday night. Jhala, who sustained injuries on her head, legs and right hand, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

According to Jhala, who lives in Parth Apartment near Jodhpur road, she was attacked by Nainesh Patel, Shailesh Patel, Alpesh Patel, Deepak Patel and Daya Patel. She said her neighbours forcibly entered her house and attacked her with sharp weapons including pipes, knives and swords.

Jhala, a former journalist, is a social worker and founding member of Garibi Sijdi and is also president of an NGO, Animal Lover.

Sources said Jhala was being pressurised by her neighbours and some builders to vacate her flat in the apartment. "Jaimin Shah, the earlier owner of the apartment, has sold some flats to another builder Dipak Patel and his partner Chandrashekhar," sources added.

Patel had got vacated many flats in the apartment and had been pressurising Jhala to vacate her flat too. However, Jhala was proving a tough nut for them as she was resisting their every attempt.

Jhala in a complaint lodged with the Satellite police stated that the people who wanted to grab her flat were pressuring her in several ways. They had uprooted the plants near her flats and had also cut trees outside her flat.

Speaking to DNA, Jhala, who is undergoing treatment at Medilink hospital, said, "Even earlier, they harassed me by parking their vehicles on my premises and injuring my pet dogs."

Sources said that the people behind the attack were getting support from some cops. "After the incident, when Jhala tried to contact officials at the Satellite police station, she didn't get the required support," sources added. Jhala lives alone in her apartment as her husband Mahipalsinh Jhala lives in America. No arrest has been made in this connection.

Alex Sandra Jhala

Social worker

Even earlier, they harassed me by parking their vehicles on my premises and injuring my pet dogs.”

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication