"Indian Husband Tied Wife with Chains and Starved Her"...Turns Out to Be an Absurd Hoax

"Upon Visa Expiration, They Put Shackles on Themselves"

A controversy arose after a woman in her 50s from the United States was found shackled to a tree in an Indian jungle, but it has now been revealed that the incident was a hoax staged by the woman herself.

On the 7th (local time), British media outlet The Mirror and other foreign media reported that the woman had tied herself to the tree in a 'staged act.'

An Indian local police officer is unlocking the shackles on a woman's ankle.
[Image source=Indian media NDTV]

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, a 50-year-old American woman, identified as A, was rescued from a forest near Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, India. A passing shepherd heard A's screams in the forest and rushed to find her. At the time of discovery, A was physically weak. Immediately after the rescue, she claimed, "My husband tied me up and left," and "I haven't eaten anything for 40 days," which sparked public outrage. A was reportedly married to a man from Tamil Nadu in southern India and had lived there until their relationship deteriorated.

However, this was not true. The police, who formed an investigative team to uncover the facts, found that A had never been married to an Indian man. It was also revealed that A had tied her legs to the tree herself using locks and chains.

Saurabh Agarwal, the Sindhudurg Police Chief, stated, "A said that when her visa expired and she ran out of money, she bought locks and chains and tied herself to the tree," adding, "She may have been experiencing hallucinations during her initial statement."

A is currently receiving psychiatric treatment and her condition has improved to the point where she can eat, walk, and exercise. A hospital official said, "Her condition is improving," and "We are providing her with the necessary treatment and nutrients."

It is known that A has been able to contact her family in the United States. However, she has not made any public statements regarding the incident.