Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam has launched an investigation into the high-profile controversy surrounding the marriage of Kumbh Mela viral girl and minor Monalisa Bhosle with Farman Khan. The state police have initiated a probe following the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. ADGP H. Venkatesh, in charge of law and order, has been tasked with examining the complaints related to the incident. The State Police Chief has directed him to submit an urgent report.
Despite serious allegations and formal complaints, no immediate case has been registered against senior leaders, including CPI(M) State Secretary M. V. Govindan, education minister V. Sivankutty, and Rajyasabha member A. A. Rahim, all of whom were reportedly present at or associated with the marriage. This inaction has drawn sharp criticism, raising questions about whether political considerations are influencing the police response. Authorities maintain that further legal steps will be taken only after a detailed investigation and submission of the ADGP’s report. At the time of the ceremony, organisers had claimed that the girl was an adult, citing documents such as Aadhaar.
Mounting criticism over police inaction
The reluctance to immediately invoke stringent laws such as the POCSO Act has triggered widespread criticism. Legal experts and political observers argue that the police should have promptly registered a case, given the seriousness of the allegations and the involvement of a minor. The failure to act against influential figures like M. V. Govindan and others, despite receiving formal complaints, is being viewed as a troubling example of selective enforcement.
A complaint was recently filed by Vigneswara Prasad at the Kunnamkulam police station, demanding the application of provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Child Marriage Prohibition Act. The complaint explicitly names Govindan, Sivankutty, and A. A. Rahim, among others. Additionally, a case has been sought against a Thiruvananthapuram native, Jayakumar, who allegedly sheltered the girl for 13 days prior to the marriage.
Parallel probe in Madhya Pradesh
Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Police have intensified their parallel investigation. Statements from the girl’s parents have already been recorded, and authorities are gathering further evidence related to alleged forgery of documents used to establish her age. Investigators are also examining potential tampering of records in the Maheshwar Municipality and associated hospital, with legal consultations underway to implicate additional individuals, including officials. According to findings presented by national authorities, the girl was only 16 years old at the time of the marriage. Hospital records in Madhya Pradesh indicate her date of birth as December 30, 2009. If confirmed, this would constitute a clear violation of child protection laws, making both the groom, Farman Khan, and those who facilitated the marriage liable for prosecution under the POCSO Act.
The marriage took place at the Arumanoor Nainar mandir near Poovar, and the presence of CPI(M) leaders at the ceremony has intensified the political controversy. Following a report submitted by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, a POCSO case has already been registered against Farman Khan in Madhya Pradesh. The Commission has now directed the police chiefs of both Keralam and Madhya Pradesh to appear in person in Delhi on April 22 and submit detailed reports. With central oversight increasing, investigative agencies in both states have accelerated their efforts, though concerns remain over delays and perceived reluctance in initiating action against politically influential individuals.
