Indian premier Narendra Modi's estranged wife demands recognition

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's estranged wife has demanded to know details about her security cover and other entitlements, voicing concerns about her safety as her family demanded that she be treated as the country's "first lady".

The premier, who swept to power in May as head of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, and Jashodaben Modi were wed in an arranged marriage as teenagers. But his family says it was only a "formal ritual" and Modi left her soon after. They were never divorced.

"I am the wife of the honourable prime minister of India," stated the retired school teacher in a Right To Information (RTI) application filed in Gujarat state, where she lives with her brother.

"I would like to know under what provisions of the law and the constitution of India am I being provided protection? As wife of the prime minister what are the other benefits I am entitled to?"

India's RTI Act gives citizens the right to access information held by public bodies.

Modi's wife has long kept a low profile and rarely been photographed or interviewed. Modi guards his privacy zealously.