A Single Bench of the Kerala High Court has ordered that the woman actor who had gone viral during the Kumbh Mela should not be taken out of Ernakulam without the court’s or her consent. (Photo for representaion)
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
The woman actor who had gone viral during the Kumbh Mela should not be taken out of Ernakulam without the court’s or her consent, the Kerala High Court has ordered, while reviewing an order issued by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to the State Police Chief, Kerala, for her production before the Madhya Pradesh Police to facilitate her reuniting with her parents at her native place.
A Single Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the order while considering a plea for police protection by the woman actor. The court was informed that the Station House Officer, Ernakulam Central Police Station, had asked the High Court Administration for the original and revised birth certificates of the woman actor to respond to the NCST order.
The court noted that the commission’s order was on a plea by a social worker referring to the interfaith marriage of the petitioner, alleging that she was a minor at the time of the marriage. The Ernakulam City Police Commissioner was directed to provide protection to the petitioner as and when required until the disposal of the petition. Earlier, the court had been informed that the contact details of a female assistant sub-inspector of police had been shared with the petitioner in case she needed urgent protection.
The woman actor contended that she was not served with any order of the commission and expressed apprehension that compliance with the commission’s order would result in her honour killing. Further, she claimed that she had attained 18 years and 3 months of age at the time of her marriage.
The court was informed that 14 police officers from Madhya Pradesh, including a Superintendent of Police, were allegedly in town and waiting to apprehend the woman actor. The petitioner further alleged that the State of Madhya Pradesh was supporting honour killing and that all her documents attesting to her age were genuine.
Father’s complaint
Following her marriage to Farmaan Khan, also an actor, her father had filed a complaint against Mr. Khan alleging that he had abducted her and that she was a minor at the time of her marriage. Not more than a week after their marriage, the authorities concerned had reportedly cancelled her birth certificate without her knowledge. Additionally, the NCST had issued a probe to ascertain her age after her birth certificate was challenged.
Claiming that her father had produced a fake birth certificate, the woman actor had moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court. In this petition, the MP High Court had directed that no coercive steps should be taken against her until the matter was disposed of.
The Bench was also informed that proof of age, including the alleged original birth certificate, Voter ID, and PAN Card, had been produced before the Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath which was considering an anticipatory bail petition by Mr. Khan in connection with an FIR registered against him by the Madhya Pradesh Police. However, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed that all documents proving her birth date should be placed on record for the police protection plea as well.
The court further directed that the NCST order should be challenged separately for it to pass necessary orders. The matter will be considered on August 4, 2026.
Published – July 28, 2026 03:29 pm IST
