A 50-year-old American woman, Lalita Kayi Kumar, was rescued in Maharashtra, India, after being chained to a tree and left to die in a remote forest.
The dramatic intervention came when a passing shepherd discovered Kumar near the village of Sonurli and alerted the authorities.
Kumar, who was severely malnourished, was transported to a hospital in Goa. At the hospital, she managed to pass a note to rescuers detailing her ordeal. The note read: “40 days without food in the forest – husband tied me to a tree in a forest and said I would die there.” This crucial information led to the initiation of a police investigation.
Police have since charged Kumar’s former husband with attempted murder, wrongful confinement, and endangering personal safety. Saurabh Agrawal, Superintendent of Police for Sindhudurg district, confirmed that these charges are based on the content of the note Kumar provided.
Photos from the hospital reveal the extent of Kumar’s suffering, showing her in a severely malnourished state upon arrival. These images highlight the critical condition in which rescuers found her.
Agrawal stated that Kumar, originally from the United States, had previously lived in Goa. Authorities are now working to trace her recent contacts and activities to gather more context about her life leading up to the incident.
According to reports, Kumar had left her husband after a dispute. She had moved to India about a decade ago to study yoga and meditation, where she met her estranged husband. This background information is part of the ongoing investigation.
A team of investigators has been sent to Tamil Nadu, the home state of Kumar’s former husband, to locate her relatives and gather further details. This effort is aimed at understanding the full scope of her ordeal and the circumstances surrounding her abandonment.
An official from Goa Medical College, where Kumar was admitted for advanced treatment, reported that she is now out of danger. The official also mentioned that Kumar suffers from psychiatric issues and had medical prescriptions in her possession, which contributed to her overall condition.
The case has drawn significant attention, focusing on the severe abuse Kumar endured and the ongoing investigation to ensure justice. Authorities are committed to uncovering all relevant details and providing the necessary support for her recovery.
