US Woman Found Chained in Maharashtra Jungle
A woman was found chained and starving in a Maharashtra forest, and authorities are investigating her background and the circumstances of her ordeal.
A shocking incident unfolded in Sonurli village on the evening of July 27, 2024, when a shepherd discovered a woman chained to a tree in the forest. The woman, who appeared extremely weak and wet from heavy rains, was immediately rescued by the police.
The shepherd, who was grazing his sheep, heard the cries of the woman and followed the sound to find her. Her leg was bound with a chain and locked to a tree. Concerned for her safety, the shepherd quickly contacted the police.
Upon their arrival, the police broke the chain and took the woman to a nearby hospital. They discovered a photocopy of her US passport and an Aadhaar card identifying her as Lalita Kayi, a 50-year-old from Tamil Nadu. The passport had expired, and the police are working to confirm her nationality and background.
According to an officer, "We are investigating her background. We suspect she may have lived in Goa for some time and has been in India for around 10 years. We are in touch with the Foreigners Regional Registration office and have sent teams to Tamil Nadu, Goa, and other locations to find her relatives."
The woman was initially treated at a hospital in Sawantwadi and then transferred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour at Goa Medical College on July 28, 2024, for advanced care. She is reported to be in stable condition but extremely frail due to dehydration and starvation.
In a video from the hospital, the woman communicated by writing on paper. She revealed that she had not eaten for 40 days and claimed that her husband had left her tied up in the forest after a quarrel.
Dr. Shivanand Bandekar, Dean of Goa Medical College, stated, "The woman is stable but has wounds on her leg that are being treated. She also seems to be suffering from a mental health condition."
A police team from Sindhudurg district went to Goa on July 29, 2024, to record her statement but faced difficulties due to her fragile state. They managed to gather limited information, as she could only communicate in writing.
A police official mentioned, "During initial questioning, she could barely speak but wrote a few lines. We are trying hard to locate her husband."
Currently, no FIR has been registered in this case, but the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are working diligently to piece together the full story behind this distressing situation.
