A Pakistani citizen named Seema Haider has filed a mercy petition with President Droupadi Murmu. She entered India without a visa in May and is now requesting to stay in her “matrimonial home” in Greater Noida along with her four children. Haider has also asked for an oral hearing from the president. The petition was submitted on her behalf by Supreme Court advocate A P Singh and was received at the President’s secretariat on Friday.
In the petition, Haider states that she is in love with Sachin Meena, who lives in Greater Noida, and came to India with her children to be with him. She claims to have converted to Hinduism and married Meena according to Hindu customs at a temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Haider pleads for compassion and asks the president to believe her story as she is not highly educated. She hopes that if granted mercy, she can live a dignified life with her husband, children, and relatives.
A video surfaced showing Haider appearing ill and receiving glucose drips, indicating dehydration or low blood sugar levels. Haider is from Sindh province in Pakistan and claims to have met Meena through an online game called PUBG in 2019-2020. She entered India illegally with her children on May 13 and was arrested by local police for illegal entry. Both Haider and Meena were granted bail on July 7 and have been living together with her children in Greater Noida.
The petition comes as the Noida police investigate Haider’s illegal stay in India. The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police has also questioned the couple for two days. Haider insists she does not want to return to Pakistan and wishes to live with Meena. Pakistani intelligence agencies have reported that Haider’s love for Meena was the main reason behind her illegal entry into India, according to Pakistani media.
