LAHORE: Jagjeet Kaur of Nankana Sahib told the Lahore High Court on Thursday that she married Muhammad Hassaan of her own free will, after converting to Islam, and did not want to go back to her family.

She was earlier brought to the court from Darul Aman under strict security arrangements to attend hearing of a petition by her brother seeking determination of her age as the petitioner claimed that his sister was underage.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi also allowed petitioner Manmohan Singh to have a meeting with his sister in the court.

After the meeting, Kaur told the court that her brother tried to persuade her to go back to home but she did not want to go with him. The girl, who was given Muslim name Ayesha, further said she married Hassaan of her free will and wanted to live with her husband.

Singh claimed that his sister was under pressure and she needed to be given more time to make a final decision.

The investigating officer in case of abduction lodged against Kaur’s husband also asked the judge to adjourn the hearing saying the law and order situation had been tense in the area for many days.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Jan 23 and sent the girl back to Darul Aman.

The petitioner through a counsel contended that his sister was below 16 years of age and was not major to get married. He said Hassaan kidnapped his sister with the intention of rape.

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

The local Sikh community had resorted to protests after Ms Kaur married Hassaan against the will of her family.

A sessions court had sent her to Darul Aman while her husband faced the case of her alleged abduction lodged by the girl’s family.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2020