The Madhya Pradesh police team, which arrived in Kerala in search of the Kumbh Mela viral girl and her husband Farman, remains determined to meet the couple. The police team has decided not to leave Kochi until they are able to record the girl's statement.
The girl, who married in Kerala, meanwhile, has no intention of appearing before the MP Police team. The couple is also considering approaching the Madhya Pradesh and Kerala High Courts to seek the quashing of the FIR registered by the Madhya Pradesh police. She may also provide a confidential statement before a magistrate, a report said.
The team, comprising a Circle Inspector, a female Sub-Inspector, and two constables from the Maheshwar Police Station in Madhya Pradesh, arrived in Kochi a few days ago. According to a report by Manorama Online, they wished to question Farmaan's Malayali friend, who had assisted with their wedding.
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The individual in question was reportedly based in Kochi's Thrikkakara region. However, he was not present when the police arrived, and the team has asked him over the phone to appear before them. Subsequently, the MP Police team learned that the couple was in the Aluva region. Since it is not far, they decided to record their statements as well. But, they have been unable to locate them so far, Manorama Online stated.
Although an arrest has been stayed until May 20 , the girl has lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner and others, including the Chief Minister, expressing her fear that the team intends to take her back to Madhya Pradesh.
The case against Farman is that he abducted a minor girl. There are reports that POCSO charges have also been invoked against him, though this has not been confirmed yet. Maheshwar CI Ganpat Kanayal stated that the investigation is underway based on complaints received regarding the wedding that took place in Thiruvananthapuram. According to their records, the girl is underage, he reportedly said.
The girl, who hails from the Pardhi tribal community and became an overnight internet sensation during the Kumbh Mela, married Farman Khan at the Nainar Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on March 11.
Several political leaders, including Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan, and Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim, attended the inter-religious marriage and issued statements saying it reflected Kerala’s social harmony. The couple had earlier approached the Thampanoor police station in the state capital, claiming that the girl’s family would not accept the relationship and was trying to take her back home against her will. They also maintained that both were adults.