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.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2020