An American woman has been found tied to a tree in India. The 50-year-old told authorities that her husband trapped her there 40 days earlier and left her to die. A shepherd found Lalita Kayi Kumar shackled in a forest in the Sindhudburg district in the Maharashtra state. After receiving emergency treatment in hospital, Kumar, unable to speak, wrote a note stating, “Husband tied me to a tree in a forest.”
Police are reportedly searching for Kumar’s husband, who has not been identified. Police Superintendent Saurabh Agrawal confirmed that his officers are investigating the claims in her note, which also indicated that she was suffering from significant mental health problems, including psychosis.
Amol Chavan of the Sawantwadi Police Station said that Kumar was “seriously dehydrated” when discovered, adding, “It appears that she was stuck there for a minimum of 48 hours.” He confirmed that she was “mute” and that he and fellow officers were forced to cut down the tree to free the woman, who was shackled with heavy metal chains. Further statements from police indicated that Kumar left her husband “after a quarrel.”
Mr. Agrawal told reporters that a “case has been registered” against her husband, and he is likely to face charges including attempted murder and committing an act that endangers the life and safety of others. If Kumar has not eaten for 40 days, as is suspected, medical experts say she has likely developed numerous significant health problems, including weakened bones, muscle wasting, excessively dried skin, and digestive problems such as nausea mixed with constipation. Doctors said Kumar was weak but “doing fine,” adding that she is suffering from “psychiatric issues.”
Reports indicate that Ms. Kumar has lived in India for ten years, having moved there to study yoga and meditation. It is unclear what part of the United States she is from. She was found with an American passport, as well as medications pointing to substantial health problems. Authorities additionally believe she has relatives in India, specifically in Goa and Tamil Nadu, where teams of investigators are researching her background.
The US government has not commented on the incident…yet.
