The Lahore High Court on Tuesday barred police from harassing an Indian Sikh woman who converted to Islam and married a Pakistani man of her choice.
The ruling came after the couple alleged illegal police raids and intimidation.
Justice Farooq Haider heard the petition filed by Noor Bibi, formerly known as Surjeet Kaur, and her husband, Nasir. The couple approached the court seeking protection and an end to what they described as ongoing police harassment.
According to the petition, the woman embraced Islam of her own free will and subsequently married Nasir. They argued that their marriage was lawful and based on mutual consent.
Petition claims police raid, pressure
The petition stated that police officials illegally raided the couple’s house on November 8, without any authority or warrant. It further alleged that officers attempted to pressure Noor Bibi into ending her marriage.
The couple said the actions of the police were unlawful and violated their fundamental rights. They insisted that no government authority had the right to raid their home or interfere in their private life.
After reviewing the petition, the Lahore High Court restrained police from harassing the Indian woman or taking any coercive action against the couple. The court directed authorities to ensure that no unlawful interference takes place.
The Indian Sikh woman had allegedly converted to Islam and married a man in Pakistan, according to a document released a few days ago, days after she went missing from a group of pilgrims visiting Pakistan to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary.
The Lahore police had said Sarabjit Kaur, 52, a resident of Kapurthala in Punjab, and other Sikh pilgrims crossed the Wagah-Attari border into Pakistan on Nov 4. The Prakash Parv this year commemorated Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary. The 1,992 Sikh pilgrims returned to India on November 13 after approximately 10 days in Pakistan, but Kaur was not with them.
A 'nikahnama' in Urdu has surfaced, stating that Kaur married Nasir Hussain, a Sheikhupura resident. She converted to Islam and changed her name to Noor before her marriage, according to the document, which could not be independently verified.
She is divorced and has two sons with her ex-husband, Karnail Singh, who has lived in England for almost 30 years. Kaur's passport was issued in Punjab's Muktsar District. Documents indicate she vanished in Pakistan, with immigration records missing her name for leaving Pakistan and entering India.
When Kaur failed to return to India, the Immigration Department immediately notified the Punjab Police in India. The police have also shared a preliminary report with other Indian agencies and the Indian mission has contacted Pakistani authorities about her disappearance, according to IANS, which cited government sources.
