Lahore High Court Orders Protection for Indian Muslim Convert Harassed by Police

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has ordered protection for an Indian woman who converted to Islam and married a Pakistani citizen, directing police authorities to stop harassing the couple and to refrain from any unnecessary intervention in their marital life.

Justice Farooq Haider issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the woman—formerly a follower of the Sikh faith—who travelled to Pakistan for religious purposes, embraced Islam, and subsequently married a Pakistani man.

The petitioner stated that police raided their home in Farooqabad, Sheikhupura district, on **November 8 and 11**, attempting to pressure them into dissolving the marriage. The petition named the Punjab Inspector General, RPO Sheikhupura, DPOs of the concerned districts, SHOs, and a private citizen accused of influencing police action based on the woman’s former faith.

The couple argued that Article 35 of the Constitution ensures protection of the family, while Article 9 guarantees personal security—rights that, they said, were being violated by the police. They further submitted that the husband is a Pakistani national and the wife has already approached Pakistani authorities for visa extension and future citizenship.

The court ordered that police must cease all forms of harassment and refrain from interfering in the couple’s private and marital affairs. It added that further relief, if required, will be granted during subsequent hearings.