Noida: An Indo-Pak Love Story Ends in Arrest
In a story straight out of a Bollywood film, an Indian man and a Pakistani woman found love while playing the popular online game PUBG. Seema Ghulam Haider from Karachi and Sachin Meena from Greater Noida, India, forged a bond despite living more than 1,300 km apart in countries with a strained relationship. However, their love story took a tragic turn when Seema left her home, along with her four children, to be with Sachin in India and ended up being arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Seema, in her thirties, and Sachin, in his mid-twenties, met while playing PUBG in 2019 and their connection deepened over time. Sachin, who runs a provision store in Rabupura, Greater Noida, and Seema spent hours playing the online game every day. Although they had never met in person, their virtual relationship flourished. Finally, in March of this year, they met face-to-face during a trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, where they spent a blissful week together.
Their story seemed like a classic love tale until May, when Seema made a daring journey from Pakistan to India through Nepal with her children. She had decided to leave everything behind in pursuit of her love for Sachin. Seema’s husband had moved to Saudi Arabia for work, and she felt a strong connection with Sachin. Unfortunately, their plans for a happy life together were cut short when the police discovered Seema’s illegal entry into India.
On Monday, the couple, along with Sachin’s father, Netrapal Meena, were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police. Seema was accused of illegally entering the country, while Sachin and his father were charged with sheltering her. The three were remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a local court on Tuesday.
Seema’s four children, three girls, and a boy, all under the age of seven, will remain with their mother in jail. Despite the difficult situation, Sachin expressed his love and desire to take care of Seema and her children. He pleaded with the government to allow them to get married and promised to abide by their orders. Sachin made it clear that he had no intentions of going to Pakistan.
Seema shared her side of the story, expressing her deep love for Sachin and her determination to stay in India with him. Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke about leaving everything behind to be with the man she loves.
Seema, originally from Sindh province in Pakistan, got married to Ghulam Haider in 2014, and they lived together in Karachi until he moved to Saudi Arabia for work in 2019. Seema’s four children are from her first marriage.
According to the police, Seema and Sachin had been in contact since 2019 through text messages and internet-based phone calls on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. When Seema and her children arrived in Greater Noida on May 13, Sachin had already arranged rented accommodation for them near his home.
However, their plans were foiled when the police discovered Seema’s presence. An FIR has been lodged against them under the Foreigners Act and the Passport (Entry into India) Act. The case has also been brought to the attention of central agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration and the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad.
As this real-life love story unfolds in the courtrooms, the future remains uncertain for Seema, Sachin, and their children. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by cross-border relationships and the consequences of breaking immigration laws.
