A court in Umerkot, Sindh, has ordered the reunification of Sunita Kumari Maharaj, a Pakistani Hindu girl, with her parents after she spent three months in captivity following her abduction, forced religious conversion, and marriage to an older Muslim man. Community representatives confirmed that the court ruling allowed her to return to her family after multiple hearings, during which she consistently stated she had been taken against her will.
Sunita’s case began in Kunri, Mirpurkhas district, where she was reportedly kidnapped and compelled to convert and enter into marriage. Her parents, supported by local activists, filed a case that led to her tracing and transfer to a safe house during the legal proceedings. Rights advocates noted that securing her release marks a rare outcome in such cases, as many victims do not obtain relief due to limited resources and the use of fabricated documentation by perpetrators to legitimize forced marriages.
Community leaders emphasized that Sunita’s experience reflects a broader pattern of coercion faced by Hindu girls in Sindh. Legal representatives highlighted systemic barriers, including economic vulnerability, lack of legal awareness among affected families, and challenges in contesting forged documents. These factors often prevent victims from obtaining justice and contribute to ongoing fear within the minority community.
Activists have urged increased involvement from educated members of the Hindu community to assist affected families and strengthen legal responses. They underscored that forced conversions and marriages remain a persistent issue in the region, drawing attention to another recent case involving a 15-year-old girl who similarly approached a court in Mirpurkhas, reporting abduction, assault, conversion, and coercion into marriage. That case is still pending, with the girl currently housed in protective custody while the court reviews evidence.
