Cross-Border Conversion Row: Deportation Case Stalls in Lahore

Nazrana Times Lahore Ali Imran Chattha
 

Sarabjeet Kaur Stalemate Deepens: Deportation Plea, Security Probes, and Bilateral Tensions Entrench Cross-Border Crisis
A routine Sikh pilgrimage has transformed into a full-fledged diplomatic and legal flashpoint, as Pakistani and Indian authorities grapple with the sensitive case of Sarabjeet Kaur—an Indian pilgrim who entered Pakistan on a religious visa but stayed behind after embracing Islam and marrying a local resident.
Nearly one month after her unexpected disappearance from the Guru Nanak Prakash Parv jatha and subsequent conversion, the case remains mired in procedural delays, competing narratives, and geopolitical sensitivities.

Lahore High Court Yet to Decide on Deportation Petition
The legal battle began on November 26, when Pakistani Sikh activist Mahinder Pal Singh petitioned the Lahore High Court (LHC), demanding Kaur’s arrest, formal inquiry, and deportation on grounds of:
Visa expiry (Nov 13)
Residence in restricted areas
Violation of the 1974 Pakistan–India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines
According to the petitioner, Kaur’s marriage and relocation to Farooqabad and later to Haal Maukeen, Sheikhupura, constitute “clear breaches” of her strictly religious visa.
However, the LHC’s earlier November 19 order, restraining police from “harassing or intimidating” the couple, continues to shield them. The court has not issued new directions, creating what sources describe as a “legal freeze.”

FIA Conducts Quiet Audit; No Arrest Orders Issued
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is carrying out a discreet review of Kaur's documents, her movement between restricted and non-restricted zones, and possible lapses in the pilgrimage oversight mechanism.

Insiders say the review includes:
A deep audit of immigration entries and pilgrim monitoring protocols
Interviews with officials overseeing the jatha
An analysis of whether Kaur’s conversion and marriage violated visa conditions
Despite pressure from activists and Sikh groups, FIA officials insist no hasty action will be taken until the legal review is complete.

A Love Story or a Security Breach? Conflicting Narratives Emerge Kaur’s Version:
Now calling herself Noor Hussain, she maintains she:Converted to Islam voluntarily
Married Nasir Hussain after a nine-year online friendship
Chose not to return with the jatha because she wishes to start a new life in Pakistan

She confirmed these statements in a sworn affidavit before a Sheikhupura magistrate.
Indian Concerns:
Indian authorities, meanwhile, have raised concerns of:

Possible coercion
Manipulation during her stay
Alleged ISI grooming
They cite her prior criminal record in Punjab, suggesting she may have been vulnerable to influence.
Indian media has amplified the controversy, branding it a “Love Jihad across the border,” a claim Pakistani officials dismiss as politically motivated.
SGPC Demands Tightened Security for Future Pilgrim Groups
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which oversees Sikh religious affairs in India, expressed strong dissatisfaction over Kaur’s disappearance from the jatha.
The committee criticized:
Lack of vigilance by Akal Takht authorities
Poor internal monitoring within the pilgrim group
Absence of female-specific security coordination
SGPC leaders have called for “stricter protocols, tracking systems, and coordinated monitoring” for future pilgrimages, citing potential exploitation risks.
Sheikhupura FIR Adds Pressure for Criminal Inquiry
An FIR filed on November 25 at the Sheikhupura Station House Officer’s office expanded the controversy further. It reinforces the activist’s demands, urging a multi-agency probe including:
ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
IB (Intelligence Bureau)
Punjab Police
The FIR alleges:
Rapid religious conversion should be scrutinized
The Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Ministry of Minorities may have overlooked procedural safeguards
Possible visa forgery and administrative violations
No arrests or charges have been made so far.
Diplomatic Sensitivities Heighten Tensions
Pakistan maintains Kaur’s marriage is legitimate and voluntary, backed by legal testimonies.
India views the situation as:
A potential security failure
A breach of the religious exchange protocol
A harmful precedent for Sikh pilgrimage safety
With Sikh bodies on both sides urging tranquillity, diplomats are attempting backchannel communication to prevent escalation. But tensions remain high, and neither country wants to appear complacent.

Family in Silence as Media Storm Intensifies
Kaur’s relatives in India—particularly her former husband Karnail Singh, now settled in the UK—have remained publicly silent. Sources suggest they are cooperating with Indian authorities but avoiding media exposure due to the political sensitivity of the case.
No new images of Kaur have surfaced since her last court appearance, fueling speculation on social media.
TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENTS
Oct 28 – Visa issued allowing access to restricted gurdwaras

Nov 4 – Enters Pakistan with a jatha of 1,900+ pilgrims
Nov 5 – Converts to Islam, marries Nasir Hussain in Farooqabad
Nov 13 – Jatha returns to India; Kaur stays behind
Nov 14–15 – Nikahnama video leaks online; inquiries begin
Nov 19 – LHC orders protection from harassment
Nov 26 – Deportation petition & FIR filed
Dec 4 – No legal decision; FIA reviews continue
What Lies Ahead?
With no ruling expected immediately and both countries monitoring the situation closely, the case of Sarabjeet Kaur/Noor Hussain has evolved into a test of:
Legal interpretation of religious visas
Diplomatic crisis management
Minority-rights sensitivities

Pilgrimage protocol reform
For now, the couple remains in Sheikhupura under judicial protection, the FIA continues its internal review, and the region watches how this sensitive saga unfolds.