Lalita Kayi, 50, was rescued approximately ten days ago from the deep forests of Sindhudurg district when shepherds heard her calls for aid.
In a written statement to the police, she claimed that her husband “chained her and left her in the forest to die without food or water”.
Ms Kayi, who is currently receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital, has not spoken publicly. The US embassy also declined to respond, citing her right to privacy.
Ms Kayi’s discovery had startled India, and police had formed multiple teams to investigate.
Saurabh Agarwal, superintendent of police for Sindhudurg, told News Marathi on Tuesday that Ms. Kayi has now stated that she was not married and that she was most likely suffering from hallucinations when she made her original statement.
Police claimed she informed them she was distressed because her visa had expired and she was running out of money, so she purchased locks and chains and tied herself to a tree.
Dr. Sanghamitra Phule, superintendent of the psychiatric hospital where Ms. Kayi is being treated, told news Marathi that “her condition is improving.”.
“She eats, walks, and does exercise. She is in treatment, and we are also providing her with nutrients that her body was needing.
