Where is Sarabjit Kaur, alias Noor Hussain? Uncertainty continues to surround her return to India
PTC Web Desk: Uncertainty continues to surround the return of Indian national Sarabjit Kaur, also known as Noor Hussain, who travelled to Pakistan with a Sikh jatha and later converted to Islam and married a Pakistani citizen. Despite widespread reports in Pakistani and social media claiming that she was being sent back to India via the Wagah-Attari border, she has yet to arrive on the Indian side even after two days, deepening the mystery around her whereabouts.
Sarabjit Kaur had visited Pakistan in November 2025 as part of a Sikh jatha to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. However, after reaching Pakistan, she reportedly embraced Islam, married Lahore resident Nasir Hussain and changed her name to Noor Hussain. Following the expiry of her visa, Pakistani authorities initiated deportation proceedings against her under an “overstay” case.
Sources said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had taken Sarabjit into custody to hand her over to India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Wagah border. However, it has been reported that she refused to return to India, citing fears for her life if she were sent back.
According to a report by Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, Pakistani authorities failed to deport Sarabjit on Monday as the Wagah-Attari border remained closed. Her visa had been valid till November 13, and she was among the 1,992 Sikh pilgrims who had returned to India on that date, while she stayed back, triggering legal action against her. The report added that Sarabjit converted to Islam on November 5, married Nasir Hussain, and adopted her new name shortly thereafter.
Punjab (Pakistan) Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora had earlier told the media that the 48-year-old woman had been sent back to India after completion of legal formalities. However, Punjab Rangers officials later clarified that the deportation could not be completed due to the closure of the border.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Times reported that Pakistani law enforcement agencies have temporarily halted Sarabjit’s deportation, citing several petitions pending before the Lahore High Court. Reports from Pakistan suggest that she is currently in Lahore police custody and has been placed in a safe house until further orders. Photographs purportedly showing her in custody surfaced on social media on Tuesday. She was arrested on January 4 after her visa expired.
The couple had earlier approached the High Court seeking protection from alleged police harassment. Sarabjit has also claimed to have contacted the Indian High Commission regarding Pakistani citizenship. At the same time, former MLA Mahinder Pal Singh has filed a petition seeking her immediate deportation to India on the grounds of visa violations. As a result, her return remains stalled pending a court decision.
As of now, there is no clear official confirmation regarding Sarabjit Kaur’s exact location in Pakistan.
- With inputs from agencies
