After being stranded in Pakistan for 15 years, hearing and speech impaired Geeta returns to India

New Delhi: The 15-year long wait to return home from Pakistan for hearing and speech impaired Indian national Geeta ended on Monday. Geeta's flight from Karachi landed at Indira Gandhi National Airport in New Delhi around 10:40 AM.

Geeta received a ceremonial welcome by Indian and Pakistan High Commission at the IGI airport. Manzoor Ali Memon, media head of Pakistan High Commission, and Ayesha Ahsan, counsellor (political), received Geeta at the airport.

Janardhan Mahato's family, which claims Geeta to be their kin, was also present at the airport to welcome her.

Accompanied by representatives of Edhi foundation, Geeta will first go to Ministry of External Affairs to meet Union Minister Sushma Swaraj.

AIIMS doctors will take her blood samples for DNA testing at the External Affairs Ministry. She will be handed over to the family after DNA test results are positive.

Blood samples of the reported family were already collected on Saturday in Delhi. One set of blood samples (of Geeta and the family) will go to the AIIMS forensic lab and the second set of blood samples will go to the CBI lab.

In the meantime, Geeta will stay at an undisclosed location under heavy security till DNA results are out.

Later in the evening, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit will host dinner for Geeta & her family. Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a statement said, "Ms. Geeta left Karachi for New Delhi today. Her return was facilitated by the Government of Pakistan. Earlier, the High Commission of India, Islamabad, had confirmed her Indian nationality. During her stay in Pakistan, Ms.Geeta was looked after by the world renowned philanthropist, Abdul Sattar Edhi and his family. We wish Ms. Geeta well."

Welcoming Geeta, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "A daughter returns home. Geeta arrives in New Delhi accompanied by members of Edhi Foundation."

The Ministry of External Affairs has also written to AIIMS asking the hospital to collect the samples for the DNA test to confirm if Janardhan Mahato is indeed Geeta's father. Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of AIIMS Forensics Division, said, "We received a letter from MEA to assist in the DNA test. My team will be collecting the samples from Geeta and her family. This is to determine the parentage. We are fast tracking this test and the results will be out in 15-20 days."

Fifteen years ago, Geeta accidentally crossed into Pakistan. She was found sitting alone in Samjhauta Express by Pakistan Rangers at Lahore Railway station and they brought her to Edhi foundation.

Geeta was looked after by the foundation. And the activists in the neigbouring country launched a campaign to unite Geeta with her family.

Geeta's story came into focus after the success of Bollywood film 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. She identified her father, step-mother, siblings from a photo sent to her by Indian High Commission.