MEA probes case of Pakistani national Seema Haider; ongoing investigation raises questions
New Delhi, July 20: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed on Thursday that the case involving Pakistani national Seema Haider is "under investigation." She was presented before a court and is currently out on bail, as confirmed by the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi, during a press briefing.
When asked if Pakistan has sought consular access to Seema Haider, Bagchi stated that the matter is under scrutiny, and further information will be provided if necessary.
Recent reports have surfaced that Haider, along with her Indian partner Sachin Meena, stayed at a hotel in Nepal for nearly a week. The couple booked the room under fake names in March of this year, as verified by the hotel owner, Ganesh Roka Magar. During their stay, they mostly remained inside the room.
Seema Haider had entered India to live with Sachin Meena, whom she befriended through an online game. The couple began residing together in Greater Noida. However, on July 4, Haider was arrested for illegally entering India without a visa, while Meena faced detention for sheltering an illegal immigrant. Indian authorities are now investigating the individuals who assisted her in crossing over from Pakistan to India.
Central Intelligence Agencies have sought a report from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police regarding Seema Haider's journey through Nepal to Noida from Pakistan's Karachi. They aim to determine how she managed to cross the border without being verified by the police and who provided assistance during her entry into India.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak asserted that the state government will not tolerate any illegal activities and that probe agencies are diligently investigating the matter. A team from the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) also questioned Seema Haider in Greater Noida to corroborate the details of her journey.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are closely monitoring the case to ascertain all relevant facts and events leading to Haider's illegal entry and stay in India.
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- With inputs from agencies
