Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted transit anticipatory bail for one month to Mohammed Farmaan Khan, the husband of viral Kumbh Mela girl, and directed that he should not be arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police during that period in connection with a kidnapping case filed by her father.

The order came a day after the High Court reserved its decision on a plea filed by the couple in a case that has grown from an interfaith marriage dispute into a wider legal controversy involving allegations over age, marriage validity and criminal liability.

Court hears arguments from both sides

Justice Kauser Edappagath heard detailed submissions from the couple and the Madhya Pradesh government before reserving the matter for orders.

During the hearing, the judge made an oral observation suggesting that the couple appeared fortunate to be in Kerala amid allegations that they were facing threats in Madhya Pradesh because of their marriage.

"Lucky that you are in Kerala," the judge remarked.

Responding to the observation, counsel for the couple said, "That is the only reason why we are alive now."

Marriage draws national attention

The girl gained nationwide attention after videos showing her selling bead necklaces at the 2025 Kumbh Mela became widely shared on social media.

She later married Mohammed Farmaan Khan in Kerala. The marriage subsequently became the subject of controversy after allegations emerged that she had not attained the legally permissible age for marriage.

The dispute has since led to legal proceedings in both Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

Couple alleges attempts to invalidate marriage

Appearing for the couple, advocate M. Sasindran argued that efforts were being made to portray her as a minor in order to challenge the validity of the marriage.

According to the couple, she had already attained majority when the marriage was solemnised. They further alleged that official records were later manipulated to suggest that she was underage.

The defence also claimed that both fundamentalist groups and sections of the Madhya Pradesh administration were attempting to target the couple because of the interfaith marriage.

Madhya Pradesh opposes bail plea

The Madhya Pradesh government opposed the anticipatory bail request.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju argued that the marriage could not be legally sustained because it had been performed according to Hindu customs even though the groom is Muslim.

The State also contended that her actual date of birth is December 2009, which, according to its argument, would mean she was a minor at the time of the marriage.

The government said provisions relating to child protection laws could therefore become relevant in the case.

Possibility of additional charges

During the proceedings, the State informed the court that forgery-related offences could also be added to the kidnapping case registered against Khan.

According to the government, investigators suspect that false documents may have been used to obtain birth and marriage certificates.

The allegation forms part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the marriage.

Court questions state's position

The High Court also raised questions about certain aspects of the State's submissions.

The court noted that the alleged victim had not made any complaint against her husband.

The observation became a significant point during the hearing as the court considered the arguments presented by both sides.

Parallel legal proceedings continue

The case has attracted widespread attention because of her public profile and the legal questions surrounding the marriage.

Apart from the proceedings before the High Court, a private complaint has also been filed before a POCSO court in Thiruvananthapuram.

The complaint seeks action against Farmaan Khan as well as several CPI(M) leaders, including M.V. Govindan, V. Sivankutty and A.A. Rahim, alleging that they facilitated the marriage.