An American woman named Lalita Kayi, aged 50, was found chained to a tree and screaming in a forest in Maharashtra, India. She was discovered by shepherds who alerted the police, leading to her rescue. Lalita appeared emaciated and was taken to the hospital. After her physical health improved, she was moved to a psychiatric facility. She alleged in a written statement that her husband had chained her in the forest without food or water. The police are currently searching for her husband in Tamil Nadu based on the information provided by Lalita.
Cow herder Pandurang Gawkar found Lalita while grazing his cattle and immediately called for help. Lalita had a copy of her passport, proving she was an American citizen, and other belongings ruling out theft as a motive for her situation. She had a mobile phone, tablet, and money in her possession. Locals say it was fortunate that she was discovered by the shepherd as the forest she was found in is vast and she may have gone unnoticed for days. Initially taken to a local hospital, Lalita was later moved to a hospital in Goa for treatment.
It is reported that Lalita was a ballet dancer and yoga practitioner in America before moving to India to study yoga and meditation. She met her husband, known as Satish, in Tamil Nadu. Reports suggest she fell out with her husband, leading to her current situation. Lalita wrote notes claiming her husband tied her to the tree and that she went without food or water for 40 days. She also mentioned being injected with something that affected her ability to drink water. Claims made by Lalita are being investigated by the police.
Police are unable to verify Lalita’s claims and find it unlikely that she survived for 40 days without food or water. A case of attempted murder has been registered against her husband, but he is yet to be found or make any statements to the media. Investigations are ongoing, with teams dispatched to Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra. The US embassy in Delhi has been pressuring the police to expedite the investigation, but they have remained silent due to privacy regulations.
Lalita’s physical health improved enough for her to be relocated to a psychiatric hospital in Maharashtra. She is now stable, taking medication, eating, and communicating in English. Her story raises more questions than answers, as it is unclear how she ended up in the forest where she was discovered. Police are looking for clues in her belongings, such as her mobile phone and tablet. The case remains shrouded in mystery as authorities work to uncover the truth behind Lalita’s ordeal.
