The Kerala High Court has deferred its decision on the anticipatory bail request of Monalisa Bhosle and her husband, Mohammed Farmaan Khan, a couple embroiled in a legal and political controversy stemming from their interfaith marriage. The court is expected to announce its ruling on Wednesday following a hearing marked by debates on the marriage’s legality, the bride’s age, and allegations of persecution faced by the pair.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when the judge remarked that the couple seemed fortunate to be in Kerala, hinting at threats they allegedly encountered in Madhya Pradesh due to their marriage. Monalisa, known for her viral videos from the 2025 Kumbh Mela, tied the knot with Farmaan Khan in Kerala earlier this year, sparking a controversy over her age at marriage.
Advocate M. Sasindran, representing the couple, argued against attempts by fundamentalist groups and Madhya Pradesh authorities to annul the marriage by falsely claiming Monalisa was a minor. The couple asserts that she was of legal age when they married, alleging subsequent manipulation of official records to suggest otherwise.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Madhya Pradesh government, opposed the plea, contending that the marriage, conducted under Hindu customs despite the groom being Muslim, was legally untenable. The state also raised concerns about Monalisa’s birth date, alleging she was a minor at the time of marriage, potentially violating child protection laws.
The court questioned the state’s arguments, noting the absence of a complaint from the alleged victim against her husband. The case, drawing national attention due to Monalisa’s fame and ongoing legal battles in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, involves issues of personal freedom, interfaith marriage, age verification, and criminal responsibility.
