A 48-year-old Indian Sikh woman's journey to Pakistan for a religious pilgrimage has taken an unexpected turn, culminating in her conversion to Islam and marriage to a Pakistani man, sparking investigations on both sides of the border.
The Disappearance During Pilgrimage
Sarabjeet Kaur, a resident of Amanipur village in Kapurthala district, was among nearly 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims who arrived in Pakistan on November 4 to participate in Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary celebrations. The group was scheduled to return to India on November 13, but when they did, Kaur was notably absent.
According to Lahore police officials, Kaur had married Nasir Hussain, a resident of Farooqabad in Sheikhupura district, just one day after reaching Pakistan. The senior officer confirmed that she has taken the name Noor after converting to Islam.
Voluntary Conversion and Marriage
In a video circulating on social media platforms, Kaur explicitly states that she married Hussain of her own free will. She revealed that she had been in contact with him through social media for approximately nine years before their marriage.
The woman, who identifies herself as a divorcee, expressed her desire to start a new life with Hussain. She appeared before a judicial magistrate in Pakistan to reiterate that she was not abducted and described herself as "happily married." Kaur emphasized that she brought nothing from India apart from the clothes she was wearing at the time.
Police authorities confirmed that a copy of the nikah nama (marriage certificate) validates the union. However, the couple has reportedly gone into hiding, with police actively searching for them. Officials declined to comment on reports suggesting intelligence agencies had detained the pair.
Indian Investigation and Background
Back in India, Punjab Police have launched an investigation into Kaur's disappearance. Kapurthala ASP Dheerendra Verma stated that there is no official confirmation yet regarding her religious conversion.
Indian officials confirmed that Kaur received her passport in January 2024. In a concerning revelation, another officer disclosed that Kaur faces three previous cases of cheating and fraud—two in Kapurthala and one in Bathinda. However, court proceedings in these cases are reportedly "almost over."
In her video statement, Kaur alleged that unknown individuals entered Hussain's home after the marriage, misbehaved with the couple and threatened them with false cases. This intimidation prompted the two to flee, and she has appealed to Pakistani authorities for protection.
Historical Precedent and Pilgrimage Procedures
This incident bears resemblance to a similar 2018 case involving Kiran Bala from Hoshiarpur, who went missing during a pilgrimage to Pakistan and later converted to Islam. She married a Pakistani man, adopting the name Amna Bibi, and left behind her three children in India.
Regarding pilgrimage procedures, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials clarified that they only forward lists of pilgrims to authorities and that background checks remain the government's responsibility.
The case continues to develop as authorities on both sides work to verify the circumstances surrounding Kaur's conversion and marriage, while ensuring her safety and voluntary participation in these life-changing decisions.
