US citizen Naina Kala Paudel traveled to India with her 11-year-old daughter Eunice Biswa to marry her Indian partner, Neema Tamang, but was apprehended upon returning from their honeymoon.
Naina met Tamang through Facebook, and despite the distance, they fell in love.
They planned to marry, and Naina and her daughter traveled from New York to New Delhi on March 19.
On March 21, they flew from New Delhi to Bagdogra and headed to Neema Tamang’s residence at Bhatpara Tea Garden, Kalchini, in West Bengal.
They got married on April 13 at Grace Valley Church in Bhatpara.
Neema arranged a fake Aadhaar card for Naina and her daughter by paying Rs10,000 at a shop in Hamiltonganj, Alipurduar district, so they could go on their honeymoon on April 21.
On May 7, Naina, her daughter, and Neema were intercepted by the Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) personnel of the 41 Corps of SSB stationed at the Pani Tanki border.
Naina holds an Indian visa valid until 2029, for a five-year duration of stay, while her daughter’s visa is valid until March 20, 2025.
The Service Selection Board (SSB) handed them over to Kharibari police.
They were presented before the Siliguri court, where the police requested a five-day remand. Further action in the case is being pursued by the police.
