Police protection withdrawn for Kumbh Mela viral girl and her husband; High Court issues directive

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has withdrawn the police protection that had been provided to the Kumbh Mela viral girl and her husband. The court said the police need to provide protection only if the woman specifically requests it.

The decision came after the Kerala government informed the court that the police had been unable to trace the couple. According to the government, the woman and her husband could not be contacted using the address or phone number they had provided. The police also told the court that she had previously become unreachable in a similar manner.

Earlier, the High Court had directed the Ernakulam Central Police to provide protection after the woman, a native of Madhya Pradesh, filed a petition claiming that her life was under threat. The court instructed the state government and the SHO of Ernakulam Central Police Station to ensure her safety until the case was disposed of.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Police have registered a case against her husband, Mohammed Farman, under the POCSO Act and other charges, based on a complaint alleging that he had kidnapped and married the girl. The woman had approached the High Court seeking police protection and told the court that she was staying in Ernakulam after taking shelter in Kerala.

She told the court that she believed she was safe only because she was in Kerala and feared she could become the victim of an honour killing if she returned to Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, the High Court stayed the arrest of her husband, Mohammed Farman, for one month and said he could approach the appropriate court for anticipatory bail during that period.