Karnataka: Mentally Ill Man Chained and Locked for Two Years by Family in Sugarcane Field Shed; Rescued by Officials in Uttara Kannada
Uttara Kannada: In a shocking case of abuse, a 37-year-old mentally ill man was found chained and locked inside a shed bathroom in a sugarcane field near Alur village of Dandeli taluk. The victim, identified as Vinayak Sohan Shet, was allegedly kept in inhuman conditions by his own family for nearly two years.
Despite owning nearly 25 acres of sugarcane fields and property worth crores spread across Belagavi and other locations, Vinayak had been confined by his relatives after reportedly developing symptoms of mental illness.
Sources said the family had tied his leg with a chain, secured it with a lock, and left him to live in a partially constructed house’s bathroom with no proper food, clean water, or medical care. His entire world was reduced to a tiny room with just one water bucket.
A team from local television channel got wind of the incident and alerted the Red Cross and local authorities. Officials rushed to the spot, broke open the lock, and rescued the man. He was later shifted to the Karwar District Hospital for psychiatric care after initial treatment in Dandeli.
According to family members, Vinayak had a government job secured under compassionate grounds following his father’s death. However, after developing behavioral issues — such as allegedly setting fire to nearby sugarcane fields — he was declared mentally unstable. The family claimed that despite treatments in Hubballi and other cities, his condition did not improve, forcing them to isolate him.
Speaking to reporters, Vinayak expressed relief after being brought out, saying: “I feel much better now. I should have been brought outside earlier. I want to be treated.”
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and activists, who questioned why the family resorted to such brutal measures instead of seeking institutional psychiatric care.
Authorities have confirmed that an inquiry is underway into the circumstances of the confinement and whether legal action will be initiated against the family.
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