Overview

• Lalita Bai, a 35-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, was presumed dead in 2023 after her family misidentified a body based on a tattoo and a black string.
• Her unexpected return in March 2025 revealed she had been sold into captivity for ₹5 lakh and held in Rajasthan's Kota for 18 months before escaping.
• Four men arrested for her presumed murder remain in custody, with legal proceedings now under review by a local court.
• Authorities are conducting DNA tests, medical examinations, and document verification to confirm Lalita Bai's identity.
• The case highlights systemic issues in human trafficking, investigative lapses, and reliance on circumstantial evidence in criminal cases.