Maharashtra police have registered a case of attempted murder against the former husband of Lalita Kayi, a 50-year-old American woman found tied to a tree with an iron chain in a forest in Sindhudurg district. The case, based on a note written by Kayi at a hospital, was reported by a senior police official on Tuesday.
The note claimed that Kayi’s former husband chained her in the forest at Sonurli village in Sindhudurg district, approximately 450 km from Mumbai, and abandoned her. She was discovered on Saturday evening by a shepherd who heard her cries and alerted the authorities. Police found her Aadhaar card, indicating an address in Tamil Nadu, and a photocopy of her U.S. passport. Kayi’s visa had expired, and she had been living in India for the past ten years.
After being rescued, Kayi was taken to a hospital in neighboring Goa for treatment. Medical professionals treating her reported that she suffers from psychiatric problems, and police found medical prescriptions among her possessions.
Saurabh Agrawal, Superintendent of Police of Sindhudurg district, confirmed that a case was registered against Kayi’s former husband on charges of attempted murder, acts endangering life or personal safety, and wrongful confinement under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While Kayi’s official statement has yet to be recorded, police have launched a comprehensive investigation.
“We are verifying every claim and piece of information in the note written by her,” Agrawal stated, emphasizing the need to confirm the authenticity of her allegations against her former husband. The prescriptions recovered from Kayi suggest she was undergoing treatment for a psychiatric illness, with suspicions that she might be suffering from schizophrenia.
Police teams are currently in Tamil Nadu and Goa to trace her former husband and other relatives. This effort is crucial to corroborate Kayi’s account and understand the full circumstances surrounding her ordeal.
The case has highlighted the urgent need for sensitive handling of individuals with psychiatric conditions, ensuring that their claims are thoroughly investigated while providing the necessary medical support. The police are working meticulously to ensure justice is served and to prevent any further harm to Kayi.
Meanwhile, this incident has sparked discussions about the safety and well-being of expatriates living in India, especially those with expired visas and without immediate support systems. Authorities are also examining the legal and humanitarian aspects of such cases to improve their response in future incidents.