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Sikh leader questions visa overstay of Punjab woman who married Pak national during pilgrimage

While noting concerns for the Sikhs in Pakistan, he said, “There is huge resentment in the community. They’re angry that the pilgrim system was misused”.

Sarabjit Kaur (X/@OsintUpdates)Sarabjit Kaur (X/@OsintUpdates)

The return of Punjab woman Sarabjeet Kaur, who got married in Pakistan, to India has been stalled with Pakistan’s Home Ministry putting a hold on her special travel permit. Following this, Sarabjeet Kaur, who was arrested by the police, has been sent to a Pakistani shelter home (Darul Aman), where she is being kept under police protection.

Meanwhile, Sikh leader and former Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly member Mahinder Pal Singh has intensified scrutiny on Sarabjit’s visa overstay in Pakistan amid stalled deportation proceedings.

Sarabjit, 48, from Kapurthala’s Amani Pur village, travelled to Pakistan on November 4, 2025, with a 1,932-member Sikh jatha via Attari for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations. While the group returned, she stayed and later converted to Islam with her name changed to “Noor Hussain” following her marriage with Nasir Hussain.

The 48-year-old woman’s arrest on January 4 from Nankana Sahib halted her same-day deportation after Pakistan’s Home Ministry intervention.

Talking to The Indian Express, Mahinder Pal Singh said that their concern is why the woman misused the pilgrim visa. “The case is now with the federal government. We filed a petition in the high court, but we haven’t received a date yet. They gave 15 days’ time to concerned government departments,” the Sikh leader said.

Notices issued on December 5 remain unheeded, he claimed.

“The Sikh angat at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib gathered and appreciated that I took this step; otherwise, the government wasn’t taking it seriously. Pakistan’s Sikh community wants a proper investigation because this has made the entire pilgrim system questionable,” Mahinder Pal Singh said.

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He also questioned an Indian no-objection certificate (NOC) despite Sarabjit’s pending criminal cases. “Why did India give her an NOC? India knew there were already FIRs against her. Why (do you) allow a woman with a criminal record to go to Pakistan?”

While noting concerns for the Sikhs in Pakistan, he said, “There is huge resentment in the community. They’re angry that the pilgrim system was misused”.

Meanwhile, Ali Changezi Sandhu, the lawyer representing the case in the Lahore High Court, said that the matter related to Sarabjeet is still under legal proceedings. Efforts are ongoing to stay in constant touch with the court and relevant departments to complete all formalities and send Sarabjeet back to India as soon as possible, Sandhu added.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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