Archive · 30 Nov 2025
Two Pakistani Couples Cross Thar Desert for Love
Two couples from Pakistan, Toto and Meena, and Popat and Gauri, walked through the tough Thar Desert to reach India.
They are from the same area in Pakistan and belong to the Bhil tribal community.
They say they wanted to be together because their families and society did not allow them to marry.
The couples were caught by Indian authorities and are now in custody.
They are being questioned about their journey and their reasons for coming to India.
The first couple, Toto and Meena, walked for three days and 50 km, while the second couple, Popat and Gauri, walked at least 15 km before being caught.
Both couples claim they faced opposition and even violence if they tried to be together in Pakistan.
The authorities are investigating their stories and have charged them under The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act.
Two Pakistani couples, Toto and Meena, and Popat and Gauri, crossed the Thar Desert to reach India to be together.
They belong to the Bhil tribal community and faced opposition from their families and society in Pakistan.
Toto and Meena walked for three days and 50 km, while Popat and Gauri walked at least 15 km before being caught.
Both couples are in custody and are being questioned by Indian authorities under The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act.
Authorities are investigating their stories and considering forensic tests like brain mapping and polygraph tests.
- Who
- Two Pakistani couples: Tara Ranmal Chudi (Toto) and Puja Karsan Chudi (Meena), Popatkumar Nathu Bhil (Popat) and Gauri Gulab Bhil (Gauri)
- What
- Crossed the Thar Desert from Pakistan to India to be together
- When
- October 4 and November 24
- Where
- From Lasri and Mungaria villages in Pakistan to Ratanpar and Balasar in Kutch, Gujarat, India
- Why
- To escape societal and familial opposition to their relationships and to get married
- Couples
- Tara Ranmal Chudi (Toto) and Puja Karsan Chudi (Meena), Popatkumar Nathu Bhil (Popat) and Gauri Gulab Bhil (Gauri)
- Origin
- Lasri and Mungaria villages, Sindh province, Pakistan
- Destination
- Ratanpar and Balasar, Kutch district, Gujarat, India
- Journey Dates
- October 4 and November 24
- Distance Covered
- 50 km (Toto and Meena), 15 km (Popat and Gauri)
- Current Status
- In custody, being questioned by Indian authorities
- Charges
- The Passport Act and The Foreigners Act
- Investigation Methods
- Dental mineralisation, bone ossification, brain mapping, polygraph tests