What began as a religious journey to honour Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary turned into a cross-border controversy. Sarabjit Kaur, a woman from Punjab who stayed back in Pakistan after a Sikh pilgrimage, is now set to return to India through the Attari-Wagah border. Her case has triggered questions about visas, conversion, cross-border relationships, and security checks.
Pakistani authorities moved Kaur to Wagah after detaining her earlier this month. Officials confirmed that she will be deported because her single-entry visa expired.
Who Is Sarabjit Kaur?
Sarabjit Kaur is a woman from Amanipur village in Punjab’s Kapurthala district. She lived a private life and had limited social interaction in her village.
Residents described her as reclusive and said she lived in a large house. Local records later revealed that multiple criminal cases existed against members of her family. These details raised questions about how she cleared police verification for the pilgrimage.
During her stay in Pakistan, she reportedly changed her name to Noor Hussain.
Why Is Sarabjit Kaur Being Deported?
Sarabjit Kaur travelled to Pakistan on November 4, 2025, as part of a large Sikh jatha visiting Nankana Sahib. While most pilgrims returned to India on November 13, she did not cross back.
Days later, reports emerged that she had married a Pakistani man and converted to Islam. This created diplomatic and legal complications. Her visa allowed travel only for religious purposes and had strict time limits.
Pakistani authorities later arrested her due to visa violations. Preparations for her deportation began soon after.
What Happened After She Went Missing?
Kaur’s absence was first flagged when her name did not appear on return records. Indian authorities initially treated her case as a missing person issue.
Soon after, a video surfaced online showing her nikah ceremony. She was heard saying she converted willingly. The development shifted the focus from a missing pilgrim to a sensitive cross-border marriage case.
A Pakistan police official earlier said, “Kaur contracted marriage with Nasir Hussain of Sheikhupura district, some 50 km from Lahore, a day after she arrived in Pakistan on November 4, and declared that she converted to Islam and married out of free will.”
‘You Will See Us in the Streets’: Legal Fight in Pakistan
After reports of police pressure, the couple approached the Lahore High Court. They alleged harassment and illegal raids.
The court later directed police to leave them alone. In her petition, Kaur stated that her husband was a Pakistani citizen and said she had contacted the Indian mission regarding nationality matters.
Despite the court order, her expired visa remained a violation under Pakistani law.
Marriage, Conversion, and Arrest
Kaur married Nasir Hussain, a resident of the Sheikhupura district near Lahore. The couple went into hiding for weeks.
On January 4, Pakistani intelligence officials and local police traced and arrested them near Nankana Sahib. Authorities said she failed to provide complete immigration details, including passport information, making tracking difficult.
Officials confirmed that deportation was the only legal option.
New Angle: Security Gaps in Pilgrimage Travel
The case has raised serious concerns about background verification for cross-border pilgrimages. Officials are now reviewing how incomplete information passed immigration checks.
Authorities are also examining gaps in exit and entry records, as Kaur initially appeared missing in both systems.
The incident may lead to stricter checks for future religious travel groups.
Kaur is expected to be handed over to Indian authorities at the Attari-Wagah border. Indian agencies will question her regarding visa misuse, travel details, and documentation gaps.
Her return is likely to trigger parallel investigations on both sides of the border.
