Thiruvananthapuram,21 April (H.S.):

The Kerala Police have maintained that there was no procedural lapse on their part in connection with the marriage of the young woman who recently gained viral attention during the Kumbh Mela. State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar is set to appear in person before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes on Wednesday to present the official position.

According to the police investigation report, the marriage was conducted only after verifying documents submitted before both the police and the local self-government department, which confirmed that the woman had attained the legal age of 18. Authorities have asserted that due diligence was followed before allowing the marriage to proceed.

The DGP is also expected to inform the Commission that the woman is currently in Kerala and that the police are prepared to provide her protection if required. Officials have dismissed allegations that the woman is missing, terming such claims as baseless.

However, the case has taken a complicated turn after the woman’s husband, Firman Khan, informed the police earlier that she is pregnant and unable to travel to Madhya Pradesh for questioning. This statement came after the woman’s parents lodged a complaint with the Madhya Pradesh Police, alleging that their minor daughter had been misled and unlawfully married.

Following the complaint, the Madhya Pradesh Police had asked the couple to appear in person. In response, Khan cited his wife’s condition as a reason for her inability to travel.

The couple were married on March 11 at a temple in Poovar, Thiruvananthapuram. Police intervention in the case began after the woman alleged that her father had forcibly taken her away and was attempting to compel her into another marriage. Acting on her statement, the police allowed her to leave with her partner, citing her consent and legal age.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman