Screenshot from the viral video of p[olice manhandling Hindu groom and dragging Muslim woman to the vehicle, (Image: OpIndia)
A shocking case has come to light from Kerala’s Kayamkulam area following an interfaith marriage between a Muslim woman and a Hindu man, inside a temple, as per Hindu rituals. Notably, the police while stopping the marriage manhandled the groom following a complaint by the woman’s family.
The incident took place on June 17, and a video of police manhandling the groom went viral on social media on June 18.
According to reports, Akhil and Alfia, the couple, had decided to get married to each other of their own will inside a temple. the duo reached the Sri Madan Tampuran temple in Malavila Panamoot on KS Road, Kovalam at 5 pm on June 17. The Kayamkulam police, however, reached the site and manhandled the groom and did not allow him to go near the bride. They also forcefully took the bride away.
A First Information Report (number–618/2023) was registered at the Kayamkulam police station by the bride’s father Siyad.
As per the reports, Alfia, native to Kayamkulam, and Akhil, native to Kovalam near KS Road, fell in love with each other. Alfia came to Kovalam last Friday (June 9) after deciding to settle down with Akhil. Then, on Friday (June 16) night, Alfia’s family and Akhil’s family met with the assistance of the Ward Member and SI of the Kovalam Police Station, and Alfia was permitted to go with Akhil.
The families mutually decided that the duo will be allowed to marry each other. the duo would tie the knot as per Hindu customs in the Sri Madan Tampuran temple in Malavila Panamoot on KS Road, Kovalam at 5 pm on June 18.
As decided, the couple reached the temple on time but minutes before they could get married, police officers from Kayamkulam town, arrived in two vehicles. They stopped the wedding and forcibly dragged her away.
In a viral video, a few lady police officers can be seen dragging the bride and shoving her into a car, while the latter resents. A male officer is seen yelling at the bride when she argues with him and urges them to let her go. The groom is also pushed and prevented from going near the bride. One police officer sits in the front seat of the car and drives away.
Narrating the incident to the media, Akhil said, ”The police arrived in two vehicles from Kayamkulam. They stopped the wedding from happening and forcibly dragged her away.”
Notably, the woman was then taken to the court where she recorded her statement under section 164 of the CrPC. The woman told the magistrate that she had left her house on her own will and wishes to marry Akhil. The next day, the woman told media, ”After recording my statement, I was allowed to leave with Akhil who had also reached there,” she said.
She said, she left her house after recording her statement before the police, still they took her away and manhandled Akhil.
She added, ”The missing person complaint was lodged in Kayamkulam police station after that. It was done by my parents. They do not want me to live with him. They want to take me away”.
As per the police statement quoted in media, an officer said that there was a missing person complaint lodged in Kayamkulam police station and as part of it they had to produce the woman before a court there.
The FIR was lodged as per section 57 of the KP Act (Kerala Police Act, 2011).
”The officers were directed to produce the woman before the court. So they were just doing their duty. Not aware of any use of force by them. The girl told the court she wants to leave with the groom and she left with him,” the officer told the media.
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