Kumbh Mela viral girl case: Conflicting birth records trigger POCSO angle in marriage probe

Thiruvananthapuram: The controversy involving the Kumbh Mela viral girl has deepened after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) flagged inconsistencies in official records relating to her date of birth and raised concerns over whether she was a minor at the time of marriage.

According to the NCST report, the case involves two conflicting sets of birth records. One document was prepared earlier based on information provided by the family, while a later entry, reportedly sourced from hospital records at Maheshwar Government Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, lists a different date of birth. The hospital register is cited as recording the birth on 30 December 2009 at 5:50 PM.

The commission observed that such discrepancies have created significant confusion for investigating authorities, particularly in determining the legal age of the individual at the time of marriage. The report emphasises that accurate age verification is central to deciding whether provisions under child protection laws apply.

The NCST has also criticised the reliance on Aadhaar documentation for age verification in sensitive legal cases. It noted that Aadhaar is not a conclusive proof of age and should not be used as the sole basis for determining legal status in matters involving potential child marriage or criminal liability.

Based on its findings, the commission has recommended that charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act be considered. The recommendation is based on the possibility that the individual was under the legal age at the time of the marriage-related incident.

However, law enforcement authorities in Madhya Pradesh have not yet applied POCSO provisions in the case. Officials have reportedly cited unresolved discrepancies between documents, including differences between hospital records and earlier certificates, as the reason for delaying further charges.

The case currently remains registered as a kidnapping FIR linked to the marriage proceedings. Investigators are examining whether consent was legally valid and whether the age documentation used during the marriage process met statutory requirements under Indian law.

Further complexity was added after the girl’s parents reportedly raised objections to the initially recorded birth details. They later submitted an application for correction based on hospital records, which further complicated the verification process and triggered renewed scrutiny by authorities.

The NCST has also directed senior officials from both Madhya Pradesh and Kerala to appear before it in Delhi for further clarification. The commission is expected to review submissions from all parties before making a final determination on recommended legal action.

The matter remains under active investigation, with authorities yet to reach a conclusive decision on the application of POCSO charges or final validation of the birth records.