Hindu Girl Allegedly Sold by Muslim Partner [Bahrain]

(Reported as seen)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated the central and state governments to ensure the safety of a non-Muslim girl allegedly sold by her Muslim partner in Bahrain. This directive follows a habeas corpus petition filed by the girl’s family, who claimed their daughter was in danger.

The case involves a Muslim youth and a non-Muslim girl from Phillaur, Jalandhar, Punjab. The couple lived together before the girl left for Bahrain on March 9th, 2024. Her family soon received a distressing video from her, claiming she had been sold in Bahrain and feared for her life. This prompted her parents to file a petition in the Punjab-Haryana High Court.

In response, the High Court has instructed the central government to ensure the girl’s safety through the Indian Embassy in Bahrain. Additionally, the court ordered that the family must be able to communicate with her via video call to confirm her well-being. Judge Alok Jain emphasized that the girl’s welfare is the court’s primary concern.

The court’s orders include:

• The Station House Officer (SHO) of the relevant police station must arrange audio or video communication between the girl and her family.
• The Indian Embassy in Bahrain is to facilitate the rescue operation.
• The Ministry of External Affairs must submit a detailed report on their initiatives within 15 days.

Phillaur Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarvanjit Singh submitted an affidavit, leading to these court orders. The Punjab Police reported that the girl’s partner had traveled to Bahrain on March 10th, 2024. The video sent by the girl was subsequently deleted, and she claimed her family was pressuring her to return.

The court acknowledged the challenge posed by the lack of the girl’s exact address but stressed the importance of the petitioners having the opportunity to communicate with her.

In a related development, Harjinder Kaur from Sangrur district, Punjab, died under suspicious circumstances while working in Bahrain. Employed by a Sheikh, Harjinder’s death was reported as a suicide. Her brother, Manjinder Singh, refuted this claim and called for a high-level investigation. He requested the central government’s help in repatriating her body to India.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to protect vulnerable citizens abroad. Ensuring the girl’s safety and conducting a thorough investigation into Harjinder Kaur’s death are crucial steps toward justice and accountability.