Mentally ill man chained to bed for 12 years

Churu (Rajasthan), April 20 (IANS) Unable to pay for his treatment, and receiving no help from the government, the family of a mentally-challenged 33-year-old man in Rajasthan's Churu district has kept him chained to a bed for more than 12 years now.

The victim, Arif Kaji, is a resident of Sunjagarh town in the district, some 350 kilometres from state capital Jaipur.

Arif lost his mental balance at the age of 21, after a prolonged illness. Arif was married and had three children by then.

For the past 12 years, he has been living tied to an iron chain in a dark corner of his house, and receives no treatment.

Rubeena, his wife, says Arif would suddenly turn violent and start throwing things out in a fit of rage.

"If he is kept free, he throws stones even at neighbours and shouts at them. I am his wife and it hurts a lot to see him chained like this, but this is the only way for me to keep him under control," Rubeena told IANS, adding that her husband suffers from hallucinations.

Rubeena said she had sought medical help from doctors in her town and nearby places, but the condition of her husband did not improve.

"People say I should get him treated at a specialised hospital in a bigger city, but my money has now dried up and I don't know whom to approach," Rubeena said, explaining that she had taken her husband to public grievances camps organised by the district administration several times, but received no financial help.

"I am forced to work as a labourer to look after my three children and husband. The income is not enough to send the children to school," Rubeena said.