Discovered chained to a tree, Lalita Kayi Kumar, an American, endured an unimaginable ordeal in an Indian jungle before her rescue.
Lalita Kayi Kumar, 50, was tied to a tree and abandoned in a remote jungle of India, where she survived without food for 40 days until a local shepherd found her, Mail Online reported.
On a quiet Saturday morning near Sonurli village, approximately 280 miles from Mumbai, distressed cries shattered the area's tranquility. A local cattle herder investigating the noise discovered a distressing scene: an American woman, identified as Lalita Kayi Kumar, was found in a critical state, chained to a tree.
The chain around her right leg had caused severe swelling, and she could not speak. Medical personnel quickly transported her to a nearby healthcare facility in Sonurli village, where they administered primary care to stabilize her condition. Due to the severity of her condition, they later transferred Kumar to a more advanced hospital. She had been severely dehydrated and had not consumed food in days. Medical staff focused on rehydrating and nourishing her as they assessed the physical and psychological toll of her ordeal.
Kumar revealed to authorities that she had been in the jungle for 40 days without sustenance. She attributed her dire predicament to her former husband, claiming he had left her there following a domestic dispute. Her initial statements, though fragmented due to her weak state, painted a grim picture of betrayal and survival.
The police were quick to respond to the situation, using a cutter to release her from the chains that bound her. They have since initiated an attempted murder case against her ex-husband. The charges also include endangering life and wrongful confinement.
Kumar, originally from the United States, had been residing in Goa, India, for the last 10 years. She had married a man from Tamil Nadu but had parted ways with him before this incident. Despite her ordeal, she had in her possession a photocopy of her U.S. passport and her Indian national identity card, although her visa had expired.
Further complicating Kumar’s recovery, police and medical teams discovered that she suffers from psychiatric issues, complicating her capacity to recount her ordeal comprehensively. Medical prescriptions found at the scene confirmed her mental health struggles, adding another layer of complexity to her rescue and recovery.
Doctors and authorities have been cautious in their public statements. A police official told The Telegraph Online, "She is out of danger," highlighting her mental health issues but confirming that her physical health was stabilizing.
"Doctors treating her said she suffers from psychiatric problems. We have found medical prescriptions in her possession," the police added, indicating a pre-existing condition that required ongoing management.
Kumar's story has gripped the community and local media, raising questions about the circumstances leading up to her abandonment and the role her mental health may have played in the incident. The hospital continues to care for her, describing her as weak but out of immediate danger.
Officials ensure that Kumar is "doing 'fine', but remains under observation and is 'suffering from psychiatric issues'", striving to provide her with the necessary care to aid her recovery. The focus now shifts to her long-term health and the legal consequences facing her former husband.
The resilience shown by Kumar has been a topic of discussion among the local community, reflecting on the human will to survive against stark adversities.
In conclusion, Lalita Kayi Kumar’s ordeal has highlighted several critical issues ranging from domestic violence to the importance of mental health support. Rescued after 40 days of survival in harsh conditions without food, chained in a remote Indian jungle by her ex-husband, Kumar remains hospitalized and under observation. Police have charged her ex-husband with attempted murder among other offenses, as she begins the slow process of recovery both physically and mentally.
