Indian man arrested in Pakistan after he illegally crossed the border to meet a Facebook friend he hoped to marry. Badal Babu, a 30-year-old from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, was detained in Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan, last week. His love story turned into a legal debacle as his friend, 21-year-old Sana Rani, stated she was not interested in marriage.
A Two-And-A-Half-Year Online Friendship
According to Punjab police officer Nasir Shah, Babu and Rani had been Facebook friends for two and a half years. Despite their virtual bond, Rani clarified to authorities that she had no intention of marrying Babu. It remains unclear whether Rani made this statement under any pressure or coercion.
Babu’s journey ended abruptly when he reached Maung village in Mandi Bahauddin. Without any legal documents, he was detained under Pakistan’s Foreign Act sections 13 and 14. He has since been placed in judicial custody for 14 days, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 10.
Not An Isolated Incident
This case is not the first of its kind. Similar stories have emerged where individuals from India and Pakistan crossed borders for love.
Last year, an Indian woman named Anju traveled to Pakistan to marry her lover Nasrullah after converting to Islam. Another case involved Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who crossed into India with her children to marry an Indian man she met through PUBG.
Another notable incident was that of Iqra Jiwani, a 19-year-old Pakistani girl who married 25-year-old Indian Mulayam Singh Yadav in Nepal after bonding over an online game.
Legal And Social Implications
These cross-border love stories often draw attention due to the geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan. While such cases reflect the power of social media in forming relationships, they also highlight the risks of illegal border crossings.
Babu’s case is yet another reminder of how online relationships can take unexpected turns. As authorities in Pakistan investigate further, his fate remains uncertain, serving as a cautionary tale for those pursuing cross-border romances.