Kapurthala, Punjab-Â The disappearance of Sarabjeet (Sarbjit) Kaur, a 48-year-old woman from Kapurthala, has triggered a high-stakes investigation involving both Indian and Pakistani agencies, sparking serious concerns about coercion, conversion, and the safety of minority pilgrims.
The Disappearance
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Sarabjeet Kaur, alias “Jatti,” was part of a Sikh jatha (pilgrim group) of approximately 1,930–1,992 devotees who crossed into Pakistan on 4 November via the Attari–Wagah border to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab.
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The group visited key gurdwaras, including Nankana Sahib.
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On 13 November, the jatha returned to India, but Kaur did not.
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Her name was reportedly missing from both Pakistan’s exit immigration logs and India’s re-entry records, prompting immediate alarm.
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The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has engaged with Pakistani authorities to trace her whereabouts.
Emergence of Marriage / Conversion Claims
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A nikahnama (Islamic marriage contract) in Urdu has surfaced, allegedly showing that Kaur converted to Islam, changed her name to Noor Hussain, and married a man named Nasir Hussain from Sheikhupura, near Lahore.
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According to reports, the nikahnama states that she “gave her consent,” and the marriage was officiated by a moulvi at a mosque in Sheikhupura.
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A passport copy accompanying the documents is also being circulated, but the authenticity of both the nikahnama and passport has not been independently verified.
Background & Family Context
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Kaur is from Amanipur village, Kapurthala district.
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According to police, she has a criminal record: three cases (cheating, fraud) are registered against her in Kapurthala and Bathinda.
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Her two sons reportedly face multiple cases (around 10) involving fraud, assault, and cheating.
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Her husband, Karnail Singh, has been living in England for over 15 years, according to police.
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There are reported discrepancies in her travel documents: her passport lists her father’s name (rather than a spouse) and an address in Muktsar (Malout), not Kapurthala.
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According to police, she left out details like her citizenship and passport number on the immigration form when entering Pakistan.
Investigation and Reactions
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Local Kapurthala police, along with central intelligence agencies, have launched an inquiry into her disappearance.
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The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh bodies are reportedly monitoring the case, citing fear over religious coercion.
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Indian officials say they are working with the Pakistani side to verify the nikahnama and locate her, but there is no public confirmation yet of whether she remains in Pakistan or has moved elsewhere.
Broader Implications & Concerns
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This incident raises disturbing questions about the safety and rights of minority pilgrims on cross-border religious trips. If the conversion and marriage are genuine, was she coerced- or did she make an autonomous choice?
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Minority organizations and civil society fear that visiting pilgrims may be vulnerable to soft coercion, especially if there is limited oversight while they are in another country.
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For Sikh communities, particularly those who travel to Pakistan for religious purposes, the case amplifies the need for stronger safeguards-Â ensuring that pilgrims are protected and that any major life decisions (like conversion or marriage) are fully voluntary.
Final Thoughts
Whether Sarabjeet Kaur’s disappearance is voluntary, coerced, or part of some larger pattern, the case is deeply worrying. It is not just a missing-person issue; it’s a potential test of religious freedom, cross-border pilgrim protection, and trust between India and Pakistan.
As investigations continue, many in the Sikh community are praying for her safe return — or at least for clarity and dignity, whatever her situation may be.
Praying for Sarbjeet Kaur’s safety and hoping the truth comes out soon…
For more updates and detailed coverage of this case and other issues affecting the Hindu and Sindhi communities in Sindh, Pakistan, stay tuned to Sindh Renaissance.
