Cross-Border Love Gone Wrong: UP Man Lands In Jail After Pakistan Crush Rejects Him

A 20-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh crossed into Pakistan in search of love but ended up with heartbreak and the possibility of a prison sentence.

Over two years ago, Badal Babu, a resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, met a Pakistani woman named Sana Rani on social media. As their online friendship grew stronger, Badal fell deeply in love. So much so that he was willing to risk everything for her.

Determined to be with Sana, he took the dangerous step of crossing the Attari-Wagah border illegally. To prove his commitment, he converted to Islam and adopted the name Rehan, hoping that this would help him win Sana's hand in marriage, according to a report by the Times of India.

However, his love story did not unfold as he had imagined. Sana rejected his marriage proposal, leaving him stranded in an unfamiliar country. With nowhere to turn, he took up work as a shepherd near Sana's home in Mandi Bahauddin. His troubles worsened when he was arrested on December 27, 2024. He had falsely claimed to be from Karachi and denied having any family ties.

Badal's lawyer in Lahore, who took up his case on humanitarian grounds, stated that his client feared returning to India due to concerns over his religious conversion. Meanwhile, his employer, Hazi Khan Asgar, revealed that Badal had initially sought work and later confided in him about his romantic aspirations.

Asgar further stated that Sana and her mother had invited Badal to their home at first. However, upon learning about his true circumstances, Sana refused his proposal, leaving him in legal trouble and facing an uncertain future.

Recently, Badal was permitted to contact his parents in Aligarh. An emotional conversation took place while he was handcuffed outside the courthouse. His lawyer, Fayaz Ramay, confirmed that authorities were closely examining his account of illegally crossing the border. His next court hearing is scheduled for the end of this month.