On June 20, 2025, the Shahdadpur court ordered that two minors—15-year-old Dashina Bai and 13-year-old Harjeet Kumar (also known as Hani)—be returned to their parents under specific conditions. Meanwhile, two adults—Jiya Bai, 23, and Diya Bai, 19—were permitted to go freely and practice the religion of their choice.
On June 18, the children’s parents filed a First Information Report (FIR), stating that a teacher, Farhan Khaskheli, along with his accomplices—Zulfiqar Khaskheli, Irfan Khaskheli, and Majeed Khaskheli—abducted Dashina Bai and Hani Kumar at gunpoint from a computer center. The complainants said they tried to intervene, but the accused fled in a white GLI car.
A day later, on June 19, a second complainant reported that two more girls—Jiya Bai and Diya Bai—had also been abducted by the same men.
The incident sparked outrage in Shahdadpur. Parents, members of the Hindu Panchayat, and local citizens held protests, demanding the recovery of the children. As the case gained traction on social media, authorities and police promised action.
In a dramatic turn, all four children surfaced at the Gosha-e-Aafiat Trust in Karachi. Videos shared online showed them claiming to have converted to Islam.
The children’s mothers held a press conference, tearfully pleading for their return.
Court Appearance and Conditions
On June 20, the four children were presented in court under heavy security, with a large police presence stationed outside. The girls wore abayas—loose black robes covering them from head to toe—while the boy wore a face mask.
The court recorded the statements of all four. Jiya and Diya, both adults, stated they had embraced Islam of their own free will and now live at Gosha-e-Aafiat Trust. The court allowed them to go freely.
Dashina and Harjeet, both minors, also claimed they converted voluntarily. However, the court ruled that they must be returned to their parents, under the condition that they not be pressured to leave Islam and be allowed to practice their chosen faith freely. Each parent was ordered to submit a personal bond of Rs. 10 million.
The court also ordered the release of teacher Farhan Khaskheli, who had been named in the FIR.
Why the Other Two Were Not Returned
The mother of the girls told The Rise News that the family would have been happy if both daughters were returned. “But even if only one daughter is back, we are still grateful,” she said.
Vindo Kumar, president of the Hindu Panchayat in Shahdadpur, expressed concern over the court’s decision to release Farhan Khaskheli. “He was the one who disclosed the children’s location in Karachi to the police—how could the court allow him to walk free?” he questioned. “Why wasn’t there an investigation into his role?”
He added that the community had requested the court to delay the recording of the children’s statements on June 20, citing concerns that the children were under pressure. However, the court went ahead with the proceedings. He said that more than 200 policewomen were present, and the girls were allowed only a brief meeting with their parents. “In such an environment, how can anyone speak freely?” he asked.
Vindo also criticized the conditions placed on the minors’ return, calling them unfair. “How can they live under restrictions? And for the two girls sent to Gosha-e-Aafiat Trust in Karachi—who will ensure their safety and education?” he asked.
Additional reporting contributed by The Rise News
