Kumbh Mela viral girl seeks protection in Kerala as MP police investigate POCSO allegations

Kochi: Following controversy surrounding her marriage, the Kumbh Mela viral girl has approached the Kochi Police seeking protection. She filed a complaint requesting that she not be taken to Madhya Pradesh after officers from the Madhya Pradesh Police arrived in Kochi.

Her primary demand is that she not be removed from Kerala, stating that she is staying in the state of her own free will and that she is above 18 years of age. She also submitted documents to the police in support of her claim regarding her age.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Police have reached Kochi in connection with an investigation into her marriage to a man named Farman Khan. A POCSO case has been registered against him after allegations emerged that the girl was a minor at the time of marriage. Police are also reportedly investigating a friend of Farman Khan as part of the case.

The Madhya Pradesh Police’s visit to Kerala forms part of this ongoing investigation. However, the Kerala High Court has stayed the arrest of Farman Khan until 20 May. Kochi City Police have stated that this order has been communicated to the Madhya Pradesh Police, and a copy of the court directive has been handed over to them.

When asked whether the Madhya Pradesh Police had come to take the girl away, the Kochi City Police Commissioner said that clarification on their intent would have to be obtained from the Madhya Pradesh Police.

The marriage between the Kumbh Mela viral girl and Farman Khan reportedly took place in Thiruvananthapuram and was attended by Minister V. Sivankutty and CPI(M) State Secretary M. V. Govindan, among others. However, subsequent complaints alleged that the girl was only 16 at the time and that the documents submitted to support her age were forged. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also concluded that she was a minor, following which the Madhya Pradesh Police registered the POCSO case.