A man from Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh allegedly crossed into Pakistan without a valid visa after falling in love with a Pakistani woman he met on Facebook. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of being an illegal entrant and remains lodged in a Lahore prison despite reportedly completing his sentence, with his family urging the Indian government to facilitate his return.
Badal Babu, who previously worked as a tailor in Delhi, is said to have befriended a Pakistani woman named Sana through Facebook. According to his family, the online friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
His relatives said they last spoke to him on October 30, 2024. Before leaving, he had reportedly left all his identity documents at home, after which he went missing.
The family later learned of his whereabouts nearly 20 months ago when videos and social media posts about him began circulating online, revealing that he had entered Pakistan illegally and had been arrested.
According to his family, Badal first attempted to travel to Pakistan in August 2024 but failed. He later succeeded in crossing the border without a visa and entered Pakistan on October 15, 2024.
The family further claimed that after Sana declined his marriage proposal, Badal remained in Pakistan and found work there. During this period, he continued to stay in contact with his relatives through phone calls.
His legal troubles reportedly began on December 27, 2024, while he was grazing goats for his employer.
According to the family's account, local residents became suspicious after noticing his Indian accent and informed the police. He was subsequently arrested and produced before a court on charges of illegally entering Pakistan.
Around the same time, a video purportedly recorded outside the court premises went viral on social media.
In the clip, Badal is heard telling his family not to worry, saying, "I will not return now. Don't worry. I have converted."
According to the family, the video call was arranged by his lawyer before he was sent to jail.
Badal is currently lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. His family claims that although he has completed the sentence imposed on him, he continues to remain in prison because the repatriation process has not yet been completed.
The family has appealed to the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and facilitate his return.
They also stated that the Aligarh district administration has processed the necessary documentation on multiple occasions and that Aligarh MP Satish Gautam had earlier written to the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the matter.
According to the family, an Indian-origin woman based in London is assisting them by coordinating with Badal's legal representatives in Pakistan and helping pursue his release and repatriation.
