LHC bars police from harassing Indian woman who embraced Islam

The Lahore High Court has restrained police officials from harassing Sarbjit Kaur - now Noor - a former Sikh woman who, after embracing Islam, married Nasir Hussain - a resident of Sheikhupura district. Justice Farooq Haider issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Noor and her husband, whom she had married on November 5. In her petition, Noor alleged that police authorities, acting at the behest of respondent Riaz and members of the Sikh community in Nankana Sahib, raided their home and caused harassment. She stated that during the raid on November 8, she was pressured to dissolve her marriage, despite the couple marrying with full consent. During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel informed the court that the Indian citizen had arrived in Pakistan for religious rituals, later converted to Islam of her own free will, and solemnised her marriage with Nasir. It must be noted that thousands of Sikh pilgrims had visited Pakistan this month to celebrate the 554th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak. The counsel further stressed that the police raid on November 8 was unlawful and that Noor had married entirely by choice, leaving authorities with no right to interfere in the couple’s personal life. The petitioners requested the court to prevent any further harassment. After hearing the arguments, the LHC directed police officials to refrain from harassing Noor or taking any coercive action against the couple.  

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/0zRWQdU