An American woman, Lalita Kayi Kumar, 49, has been found chained to a tree in an Indian forest near Sonurli village, Goa, where she had been left for 40 days. Her discovery has triggered a manhunt for her former husband, told People.
The shocking discovery was made by a shepherd who had heard her cries for several days. Ms. Kumar, unable to speak upon her rescue, communicated through a written note. She alleged that her ex-husband had abandoned her and that she had been without food for the entire 40-day ordeal.
In her note, she detailed the harrowing experience, stating she had been administered an “injection for extreme psychosis which caused severe jaw lock and inability to drink any water.” She further wrote, “Need intravenous food later … husband tied me to a tree in a forest”, told CBS News.
When found, Ms. Kumar’s legs were tied to the tree while her hands remained unbound. A police officer noted that she was too weak to unchain herself, and her body bore marks of numerous other injuries. She was discovered wearing a see-through raincoat, an olive green shirt, and worn-out brown trousers.
Police have registered a case of attempted murder against her former husband, who is accused of chaining her up before fleeing the scene. Authorities are currently interviewing relatives of the couple as part of the investigation.
Following her rescue, Ms. Kumar was transferred to Goa Medical College for specialist treatment. Doctors expressed concerns about her mental health, with a hospital official stating, “She is out of danger, but she is suffering from severe depression and other mental health illnesses. We have found medical prescriptions in her possession suggesting she was on antidepressants.”
Documents found with Ms. Kumar indicated that she was a resident of Tamil Nadu, a south Indian state approximately 600 miles from the forest where she was found. It is believed that she had been living in India for the past decade.
The police are intensifying their search for Ms. Kumar’s ex-husband, hoping to bring him to justice for the brutal act. The incident has sparked outrage and concern, highlighting issues of domestic violence and the treatment of mental health in India.