Pakistani woman summoned as 1st husband goes to Noida court
Seema Haider, a Pakistani national who unlawfully entered India last year, has been summoned to appear before a family court in Noida. The court's decision comes after her former husband, Ghulam Haider, challenged the legality of her marriage to Sachin Meena. Seema and Sachin claim they met while playing the mobile game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and later married in Kathmandu. The next court hearing is scheduled for May 27.
Why does this story matter?
30-year-old Seema Haider crossed the border with her four children in May 2023 to live with Noida-based Meena (25), whom she secretly married in Nepal on their first meeting in March. Haider was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India, while Meena and his father were held for sheltering the illegal migrants. While Seema and Sachin's love story created headlines, Ghulam Haider said that he "still loves Seema" and would "continue to do so," reported India Today.
Dispute over legality of second marriage
Haider, who hails from Karachi, has disputed the legitimacy of her marriage to Sachin Meena through an Indian attorney in Noida family court. His lawyer, Momin Malik, argues that Seema did not legally separate from Ghulam before marrying Sachin, thereby invalidating her second marriage. Seema, who was living in Saudi Arabia with Ghulam, traveled to India via the UAE and Nepal. In a previous interview with BBC, she confirmed her conversion to Hinduism and expressed reluctance to return to Pakistan.
Controversy over children's religious conversion
In addition to the marriage dispute, Ghulam also challenges the religious conversion of their four minor children. Seema claims that she and her children have converted to Hinduism since moving to India. However, Ansar Burney, a renowned Pakistani lawyer and human rights advocate assisting Ghulam with child custody issues, states that international laws prohibit the religious conversion of minors.
Neighbors, relatives don't want Haider to return
On Sunday, Haider's relatives and neighbors made it clear that they didn't want her back in Pakistan. "She should just send her children back to Pakistan. She can stay there. Now she is no longer even a Muslim," PTI reported, quoting the 16-year-old son of Haider's landlord. Reportedly, Haider and Ghulam eloped 10 years ago to Karachi and got married against their parents' wishes.
