Mystery surrounds US woman found starving and chained to tree in India

A perplexing situation has emerged in India involving an American woman named Lalita Kayi, who was discovered in a forest in Maharashtra, a state located in western India. The 50-year-old woman was found chained to a tree, crying out for help. Fortunately, some shepherds who were grazing their cattle nearby heard her desperate screams and promptly alerted the police. Upon their arrival, the police managed to cut the chain that bound her and successfully rescued her from her dire situation. Lalita appeared to be in a severely weakened state and was immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention. After receiving care, her health began to improve, and she was later transferred to a psychiatric facility for further treatment. Medical professionals reported that she was stable and was able to eat and interact with others. In a written statement to the police, Lalita accused her husband of chaining her to the tree and abandoning her in the forest without food or water. The police have initiated a search for her husband, who is believed to be in Tamil Nadu, based on the information provided by Lalita. Despite her rescue, numerous questions remain regarding the circumstances that led to her being found in such a horrific condition. Lalita was discovered in a remote area of the forest, and it was sheer luck that the shepherd happened to be in the vicinity to hear her cries for help. If he had not been there, she could have remained trapped for days without anyone coming to her aid. The police found several important items with her, including her passport, an Aadhaar card, which is a unique identification document in India, a mobile phone, and a sum of money. These findings led the authorities to rule out theft as a motive for her situation. Initially, the police took Lalita to a local hospital before transferring her to a larger medical facility in Goa. Dr. Shivanand Bandekar, the dean of Goa Medical College, reported that she had some injuries on her leg and appeared to be suffering from a mental health condition. While the doctors were uncertain about how long she had gone without food, they confirmed that her vital signs were stable. After a few days of treatment, Lalita was moved to a psychiatric hospital in Ratnagiri district, where she continued to receive care. Hospital officials stated that her health was stable, and she was taking her medication, eating, and able to communicate her needs. Lalita, who only speaks English, communicated her story to the police and medical staff by writing notes. According to the police, Lalita was a ballet dancer and yoga practitioner in the United States, specifically in Massachusetts, before moving to India about a decade ago to study yoga and meditation in Tamil Nadu. It was during her time in India that she met her husband, who has been identified in some reports as Satish. The police believe that at some point, Lalita's relationship with her husband deteriorated, leading to her tragic situation. Reports indicate that she stayed in a hotel in Goa for a couple of days before traveling to Mumbai, but the timeline of events leading to her being found in the forest remains unclear. Lalita, who initially struggled to speak, managed to convey her ordeal to the authorities by scribbling notes. She claimed that her husband had tied her to the tree and that she had survived without food and water for an astonishing 40 days. Additionally, she alleged that she had received an injection that caused extreme psychosis, which locked her jaw and prevented her from drinking water, necessitating intravenous nutrition. Lalita described herself as a victim who had survived a horrific ordeal, while her husband fled the scene. The police have yet to verify her claims and find it difficult to believe that someone could endure such a long period without sustenance. They have filed a case of attempted murder against her husband and have dispatched teams to Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra to further investigate the matter. As of now, her husband remains untraceable, and he has not made any statements to the media. The US embassy in Delhi is also involved, reportedly urging the police to expedite their investigation, but they have refrained from commenting on the case due to privacy regulations. This troubling story continues to unfold, and many are eager to learn the truth behind Lalita Kayi's harrowing experience.