THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The legal troubles surrounding the marriage of the viral Kumbh Mela star have intensified, with authorities set to invoke the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act alongside existing POCSO charges. This follows a probe by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), which confirmed that the girl, who belongs to a tribal community, was a minor at the time of her wedding to Farman Khan.
In a significant development, Prakash Uikey, the legal advisor to the ST Commission, stated via social media that those who assisted in forging a fake birth certificate to show the minor as an adult will also be booked. The NCST investigation revealed that forged documents were allegedly created in Kerala to facilitate the marriage and its subsequent registration at a local Gram Panchayat. The Commission has already ordered the cancellation of these fraudulent records.
The investigation is also expected to look into the involvement of senior CPM leaders who attended the ceremony. The wedding had gained political undertones when leaders including CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan and Minister V. Sivankutty attended to express solidarity, hailing it as “the real Kerala story.” The participation of high-profile politicians in the marriage of a minor has now sparked a major controversy.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the NCST has summoned the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of both Kerala and Madhya Pradesh to appear in New Delhi on April 22. The Commission has demanded progress reports every three days, emphasizing strict accountability for any lapses in verifying the girl’s age. The interfaith marriage took place last month at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
With input from KN.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com