Mystery Woman Found Chained to Tree in Maharashtra Forest

A 50-year-old woman, identified as Lalita Kayi, was found chained to a tree in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg forest. Police recovered her US passport photocopy, Aadhaar card, and other documents. Believed to suffer psychiatric issues, she is under medical care. Investigations indicate a Tamil Nadu link, possibly involving her husband.

A 50-year-old woman was discovered chained to a tree in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, with a photocopy of her US passport and an Aadhaar card listing a Tamil Nadu address recovered, police reported on Monday.

A shepherd alerted the police after hearing her cries in Sonurli village, about 450 kilometers from Mumbai, on Saturday evening. She was found in distress and immediately taken to hospitals in Sawantwadi and then Oros before being transferred to Goa Medical College due to her condition. Doctors have determined she suffers from psychiatric problems and is currently stable.

Identified as Lalita Kayi, her US visa has expired, and authorities are verifying her documents. She has been in India for the last 10 years, according to initial police information. Weakened by lack of food and rain exposure, she is unable to provide a statement. Authorities suspect her husband, from Tamil Nadu, may have tied her to the tree and fled. Police teams are now tracing her relatives in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and other locations as part of the ongoing investigation.

(With inputs from agencies.)