'Mad' Indian man's life in chains

By Sanjaya Jena
Bhubaneshwar, Orissa

Mr Dash is never allowed out of his shackles Pics: Rejesh Behera

A 56-year-old man in the eastern Indian state of Orissa has spent 26 years in chains because his family and doctors say he is mad and a danger to others.

Ananta Charana Dash's shackles limit him to six-inch steps.

"My repeated request to be freed have yielded no results. I have learnt to reconcile and adjust to my present state of life," he told the BBC.

Mr Dash's family, who cannot afford medical help, say chaining him was the only way to stop him attacking people.

Local police say they have no knowledge of the case.

No money

Ananta Charana Dash, a father of three, lives in the village of Hanumantapala in Kendrapada district, about 120km (75 miles) east of the state capital, Bhubaneswar.

Since Ananta has completely gone mad, the family has no other option but to put him into chains Village elder Gyana Ranjan Das

His troubles began after the birth of his third child, who is now 27.

The family say he developed a mental disorder and was deteriorating day by day.

They sold what land and property they had to pay for the psychiatrists' bills.

When the money ran out, treatment was abandoned and he remained in chains to protect others, they say.

Mr Dash even goes to the toilet with the shackles around his legs.

He has worn them for so long, the lower portion of his knee and feet have developed white marks.

Initially, his hands were also chained and he was tied to a concrete pillar. Now, at least, his handcuffs have gone.

But his fear-stricken family still ignore his pleas to be allowed out to attend weddings and other festive occasions.

'Psychotic'

Mr Dash's wife, Sarathi, serves him meals twice a day.

Sarathi says lack of money forced the family's hand

She says lack of money has meant they could not afford adequate treatment for her husband.

Gyana Ranjan Das, a village elder, says: "Since Ananta has completely gone mad, the family has no other option but to put him into chains."

The medical report still kept by the family says Mr Dash suffers from "substance abuse psychotic disorder".

Psychiatrist Dr Tarapada Ray says the disease can be treated and that sufferers can enjoy relative normality with life-long medication.

Sarathi is still hopeful about her husband's future.

"If I get financial support from any quarters, my first priority will be to take my husband to doctors at Kanke in Ranchi, in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand.

"But I am unsure whether we will ever have such good luck," she says, crying.