Monalisa row: Kerala BJP seeks criminal action against CPM leaders over failure to protect minor
Thiruvananthapuram: A political controversy has broken out in Kerala over the marriage of teenage girl Monalisa Bhosle, who had gained public attention after the Kumbh Mela. The Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused CPM leaders of complicity and has demanded criminal action.
State BJP General Secretary S. Suresh alleged that the marriage formed part of a larger conspiracy. He questioned how a 16-year-old girl could be married off under the watch of political leaders.
He also accused the CPM of attempting to cloak the incident in the name of secularism. Suresh named senior leaders, including State Secretary M.V. Govindan, Education Minister V. Sivankutty and MP A.A. Rahim, alleging offences warranting legal action.
He further asked why a minor who had arrived from another state was not protected and was instead allowed to be married.
Findings of commissions and police action
The controversy escalated after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes reportedly found that the girl was underage at the time of the wedding, which was conducted to facilitate the marriage.
Following these findings, Madhya Pradesh Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the groom, Farman Khan.
Officials stated that further investigation is ongoing.
The Commission’s legal team has indicated prima facie evidence of a conspiracy and has called for additional charges under the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as well as forgery.
The Commission has also summoned Kerala Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar and Madhya Pradesh Police Chief S.K. Rout to appear in Delhi.
Marriage details and political responses
The BJP leader also demanded action against all those who facilitated the marriage without proper verification of documents.
The marriage took place on March 11 at a temple near Thiruvananthapuram.
Hospital records reportedly show the girl was born in December 2009, indicating she was a minor at the time of the ceremony.
The CPM has denied organising the wedding, stating that party leaders attended only after learning the ceremony was happening.
The case continues to trigger debate across political and legal circles, with investigations expected to intensify in the coming days.