Maharashtra: American woman found tied to tree in forest in Sindhudurg district, husband faces FIR

A 49-year-old American woman was found shackled in a deep forest in Sindhudurg district on Saturday. Both her legs were tied together with a chain, the other end of which was wrapped around a nearby tree and locked. Police sources reported that while her hands were free, she was too weak to unlock the chain herself. Officers had to cut down the tree to free her and then carry her on a stretcher for several miles to reach an ambulance.

The photocopy of her American passport and her original Aadhaar card, a crucial Indian document, helped police establish her identity. Lalita Kai is an acclaimed belly dancer who came to India about 10 years ago to learn yoga but decided to stay. "The officers couldn't understand what she was saying, but the documents confirmed that she is an American national," said a local source.

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The cops attending to the woman in the forest

She was found in a dire condition in an area with high precipitation during the monsoon season. "The location was remote, deep inside the Banda area of the forest," a police source added. The situation came to light when a local farmer, who was feeding his cattle in the jungle, heard a wailing sound. "Following the cries for help, the farmer discovered a feeble middle-aged woman with her ankles chained, severely limiting her movement," said an officer from Banda police station, where a First Information Report was filed against her Indian husband, Satish, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

A local source told mid-day that the villager was shocked to find the woman chained in the jungle and immediately notified the Sawantwadi police station. "A team quickly arrived at the scene," the source added. Sawantwadi police station Inspector Amol Chavan said, "We arrived promptly and found the woman's leg chained to a tree. Since the chain was locked, we had to cut down the tree to rescue her and then rushed her to a nearby hospital."

"Later, we discovered that the area where the woman was found falls under Banda police station's jurisdiction. We handed over the case to Banda police, who are now investigating," Chavan added. After receiving initial treatment at Sawantwadi, the American national was referred to Goa Medical College for advanced care. Although a police team arrived in Goa to record her statement, doctors did not permit further questioning due to her poor health.

A local source mentioned that several items, including a photocopy of her American passport, an Aadhaar card, biscuits, some medicines, and her handbag, were found scattered around her. Banda police station Inspector Vikash Badave said, "We have not yet recorded her statement, but she has implicated her husband, Satish, in her condition. Based on preliminary information, we have registered a case against him under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 125 (endangering life or safety of others), and 127 (wrongful confinement) of BNS, 2023."

A team from Sindhudurg police is stationed at Goa Medical College, while another team has been dispatched to Tamil Nadu to locate Satish, as his Aadhaar card suggests he is from Tamil Nadu, a police source said. According to Banda police, the American woman has been living in India for the past 10 years. "We are unsure if she is married to Satish or in a live-in relationship. This will be clarified once we record her statement," said a police officer. No arrests have been made so far.