Woman found chained in Maharashtra forest with US passport copy
Woman found chained in Maharashtra forest with US passport copy
The woman was found in a distressed state with an iron chain binding her to the tree
In a shocking discovery, a 50-year-old woman was found chained to a tree in a forest in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, with a photocopy of her US passport and an Aadhaar card listing a Tamil Nadu address. The incident came to light when a shepherd heard her cries for help in Sonurli village. The shepherd promptly alerted the police. The village is approximately 450 kilometers from Mumbai.
According to police reports, the woman, identified as Lalita Kayi, was found in a distressed state with an iron chain binding her to the tree. She was immediately taken to a hospital in Sawantwadi and then transferred to Oros in Sindhudurg for further medical evaluation. Due to her severe mental and physical condition, she was moved to Goa Medical College for advanced treatment. Fortunately, her condition is now stable, although doctors confirmed that she suffers from psychiatric issues. Medical prescriptions found in her possession corroborate this diagnosis.
Police investigations revealed that Kayi has been in India for the past ten years. Her visa has expired and authorities are in the process of verifying her documents to confirm her nationality. The police are also coordinating with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office as part of the investigation.
“The woman is currently unable to provide a coherent statement due to her weakened state and psychiatric condition. She had not eaten for several days and endured heavy rains while being tied to the tree. We suspect her husband, who is believed to be from Tamil Nadu, may have tied her there and fled the scene,” said a police official.
Efforts are underway to trace her relatives and gather more information about her background. Police teams have been dispatched to Tamil Nadu, Goa and other locations to find her family members and further investigate the circumstances leading to her abandonment.
This distressing incident highlights the dire need for mental health awareness and support, as well as the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.
