Sultana Is Married To A Jharkhand Resident, Puts Up In Kupwara For 2 Decades
Srinagar, Sept 19 (GNS): High Court has asked J&K’s Home Department to take a relook into the matter regarding a Pakistani woman who’s married to a resident from Jharkhand and has been staying in Kupwara along with two kids from last two decades.
The woman, Feroza Sultana, has filed a petition in 2008, stating that her husband Mohammad Arif Sidique, a resident of Jharkhand, had travelled to Pakistan on an Indian Passport in May 2000 and they married on the same date.
On 25 October 2000, she said they came to India and stayed till 14 November 2001 before she returned back. In Pakistan, she said to have given birth to a son named Adnan. Later, in 2005, she came to Goose Kupwara on 22 September 2005 on a visa. Later she submits to have requested for a long term visa for her son and herself which was by recommended by the officials 15 June 2006.
She submitted that she gave birth to a 2nd son on 26th January 2007 at Goose Kupwara.
However, Sultana says that she been compelled to move to the high court in view of the letter dated 3 October 2007 issued by the officials conveying that she had been directed to apply for extension of a visa/ citizenship in the State of Jharkhand and that she may not be allowed to continue her stay in the valley as her visa had expired on 17 February 2007.
She has contended that her husband is living in Goose Kupwara since 1985 and running a business there. Sultana said that she and her children are cohabiting with him.
The government in its reply said that Mohamad Arif Siddiq, born at Kurpania Burma on
08.12.1972, has married Sultana of Karachi on 05.05.2000 as per Nikkah Nama produced by the couple. “Siddiqui is a native of Jharkhand State and is presently residing on temporary basis at Kupwara, where he is running a bookshop,” the government said.
Sultana, the government said, entered India on 16 October 2000 on the authority of her Pak Passport valid upto 21.07.05 and Indian visa dated 26.09.2000 for 30 days stay in India. She was registered by FRO (S.P) Bokara, Bihar and her period of authorized stay expired on 24 November 2000. The government however said that she was permitted to extend her stay in India upto 24.11.2000. During the stay, she gave birth to a male baby on 23.01.2001 at Kurpany, who was later named as Muhammad
Adnan Sidique. The lady returned to Pakistan on 14.11.2001 along with her son on 10.09.05 via Delhi. “Since, her husband is a resident of Jharkhand; Home Dept. J&K Government decided to direct the lady to apply for further extension and citizenship at Jharkhand,” the government said. The lady was accordingly, got informed on 03.10.07 to leave the erstwhile State and apply for extension and citizenship in the State of Jharkhand.
“Defying the orders/directions, the lady and her child continued their stay in the State unauthorizedly. Local police was asked to take action against them for their failure to leave the State,” the government said, adding, “The lady instead of leaving for Jharkhand has filed instant petition before this High Court.”
After hearing both the sides, a bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal said that it is necessary for the Home Department, J&K Government, to take a relook into the matter and verify the factual situation as obtains, as per Global News Service.
Senior Additional Advocate General B. A. Dar prayed for a short adjournment to enable him verification of the status of the woman and her family. The matter has been listed on October 19. (GNS)
