LHC seeks birth certificate of ‘Sikh’ girl – 6th May 2020

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought the computerised birth certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to a Sikh girl from Nankana Sahib who had contracted marriage with a Muslim boy.

Justice Shehram Sarwar was hearing a petition by Muhammad Hassaan, seeking custody of his wife, Jagjit Kaur, presently living in Darul Aman on a court’s order.

Ms Kaur had previously made a statement before the court that she had married the petitioner of her free will after converting to Islam and did not want to go back to her family.

However, her brother, Manmohan Singh, had alleged before the court that Hassaan had abducted his sister with an intention of rape. He claimed that Kaur was below 16 years of age and had not reached the age of consent when the incident happened.

On Tuesday, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that the petitioner and his wife were 19-year-old and their computerised national identity cards (CNICs) were available.

However, the judge directed the counsel to submit the birth certificate of Kaur to determine her age. Hearing was adjourned till May 22.

In his petition, Hassaan contended that his wife (Kaur) wanted to live with him and she be allowed to go with him. He said the family of his wife continued to extend life threats to him even after Governor Chaudhry Sarwar mediated reconciliation between them.

A report submitted on a previous hearing by the medical superintendent of Mayo Hospital said the age of the girl was above 18 years.

Jagjit Kaur had reportedly gone missing in August last year. She surfaced with Hassaan days after the incident and both claimed that they had contracted marriage. Kaur was given Muslim name Ayesha.

The local Sikh community had resorted to protests after she married to the Muslim man against the will of her family. It became a high-profile case as both the parties levelled allegations against each other.