Kerala HC reserves order on viral Kumbh Mela girl’s pre-arrest bail plea

Kochi: High court has reserved for Wednesday its order on a pre-arrest bail petition filed by the viral Kumbh Mela girl and her husband in a case registered against them in Madhya Pradesh on a complaint lodged by the girl’s father alleging her abduction.

When the plea came up for consideration before Justice Kauser Edappagath on Tuesday, assistant solicitor general S V Raju appeared on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh DGP and vehemently opposed the petition, questioning its maintainability. He contended that the petitioners could approach the Kerala HC only for transit bail and not for anticipatory bail or regular bail.

Additionally, Raju argued that the registration of the petitioners’ marriage was invalid. However, counsel for the petitioners contended that they had married under the Special Marriage Act, which permits the registration of a marriage irrespective of the religion of the parties. After hearing both sides, HC reserved its order for Wednesday.

The petitioners approached HC apprehending arrest in connection with a case registered by the Madhya Pradesh police on a complaint filed by the girl’s father, alleging that his daughter had been abducted and that she was a minor at the time of her marriage. Denying the allegations, the petitioners contended that they had met at a puja ceremony held in Kerala in connection with a new Malayalam film, fell in love and decided to live together. They further stated that their marriage was solemnised at the Sree Nainar Deva Temple, Arumanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, on March 11.