Thiruvananthapuram,11 April (H.S.):

The controversy surrounding the marriage of a minor “Kumbh Mela viral star” has intensified, with authorities now considering additional charges under the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alongside the existing POCSO case.

The development follows a Facebook post by Prakash Uyke, legal advisor to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), who alleged a larger conspiracy in the case. He stated that those involved in preparing a fake birth certificate to facilitate the marriage would also be made accused. Uyke also demanded that the role of CPM leaders from Kerala who attended the wedding be investigated.

The Madhya Pradesh Police had earlier registered a case against the groom, Farman Khan, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, after the NCST found that the bride was a minor at the time of marriage. According to the Commission’s findings, the girl was only 16 years and two months old when the wedding took place on March 11 at the Arumanur Sree Nainar Deva Temple near Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram.

Hospital records from Madhya Pradesh reportedly confirm that the girl was born on December 30, 2009. The Commission also noted that a fake birth certificate had been created to falsely establish her as a major for the purpose of the marriage.

Following these findings, the NCST has directed the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of Kerala and Madhya Pradesh to appear before it in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the CPM has denied any role in facilitating the marriage. Party leaders clarified that they attended the ceremony only after being informed about it and that documents verifying the bride’s age had reportedly been shown to the Thampanoor police. Senior leaders, including M.V. Govindan, Minister V. Sivankutty, and MP A.A. Rahim, were present at the event.

The case continues to raise serious legal and political questions as the investigation expands.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman