The Kerala High Court has rejected a plea for protection from arrest by the husband of the viral Kumbh Mela artist in a child marriage case. Mohammed Farmaan Khan, the accused, faces allegations of marrying a minor. The court directed him to seek relief from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
This decision is a setback for Farmaan Khan, as it allows the Madhya Pradesh Police to continue their investigation, including the possibility of his arrest. Earlier, his anticipatory bail plea was turned down by the Special POCSO Court in Mandleshwar, Madhya Pradesh.
With legal options narrowing for the accused due to rejections in both Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, investigators are expected to proceed as per the law. The case revolves around the controversial marriage of the social media sensation during the Kumbh Mela.
The marriage, which took place in Thiruvananthapuram, faced scrutiny over the bride’s age, leading to the registration of a case under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the POCSO Act. Allegations claim that the documents presented to prove the bride’s age were unreliable.
The Mandleshwar court’s refusal of anticipatory bail suggests a need for custodial investigation. The Kerala High Court’s decision not to grant protection instructs the accused to seek legal recourse in Madhya Pradesh. The ongoing legal battle has garnered attention due to the bride’s social media popularity post the Kumbh Mela.
This latest ruling bolsters the investigating agency’s position. If no further protection is secured from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the police can proceed with legal action against the accused.
