Court Directs MP Police To File Report In Kerala Temple Marriage Controversy

A court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday sought a report from the Madhya Pradesh Police in connection with allegations of an underage marriage involving a woman who had earlier drawn attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and later married a Muslim man at a temple in Kerala.

The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO Act), presided over by Judge Shibu M P , directed the Station House Officer of Maheshwar police station in Madhya Pradesh to submit a detailed report by May 20 .

The direction came while the court was hearing a petition filed by P Nagaraj of Neyyattinkara , who sought registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against several individuals, including CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan , Education Minister V Sivankutty , Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim , Mohammad Farman Khan (who married the woman), and office-bearers of Poovar Arumannur Nayinar Devi Temple , including its president N Hareendran and secretary Ajithkumar .

The petitioner alleged that political leaders and temple functionaries facilitated the alleged underage marriage. He also sought cancellation of the marriage and a court-monitored investigation into all those involved.

During the hearing, the court noted that an FIR in Madhya Pradesh had already been registered in the matter and that investigation was underway. It therefore sought a status report from the investigating officer before the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to Khan, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the Madhya Pradesh police case.

Khan and the woman have denied the allegations, stating that she is above 18 years of age and claiming that a false case has been registered against them. They have also sought police protection , expressing fear of being taken to Madhya Pradesh.

A Madhya Pradesh Police team that had recently visited Kochi to question the couple returned without completing the interrogation.