Kochi, July 28: The Kerala High Court intervened on Tuesday regarding the safety of a woman known as the ‘Kumbh Mela Viral Star,’ Monalisa. The court directed the state government to ensure that she is not taken outside the boundaries of Kochi against her will or without court permission.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued this interim order while hearing a petition from the woman seeking police protection.
According to the court’s order, the Kerala police cannot hand over the woman to the Madhya Pradesh police without the High Court’s approval. This directive came after the court was informed that the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had requested the Director General of Police in Kerala to follow legal procedures before transferring the woman to Madhya Pradesh police.
The NCST acted on a complaint from a social worker alleging that the woman was a minor at the time of her marriage to Mohammad Farmaan.
The commission also stated that necessary permission or appropriate orders from the High Court should be obtained before implementing its directives.
Considering the petitioner’s concerns, the court noted that the woman is currently under its protection. Therefore, she cannot be handed over to anyone without the court’s consent.
The court stated, “The state government must ensure that the woman is not taken outside the boundaries of Kochi against her will until a final decision is made on the petition.”
Monalisa’s lawyer informed the court that if she were sent back to Madhya Pradesh, her life could be in danger. The lawyer also argued that the woman was 18 years and three months old at the time of marriage.
He claimed that her original birth certificate was annulled without her knowledge, a decision that has already been challenged in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court also ordered the continuation of the police protection granted to the petitioner.
However, the court mentioned that providing security would be challenging if she remains in hiding.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas orally stated that police can only ensure the woman’s safety if they know her whereabouts.
The court clarified that whenever the woman feels an immediate threat, she can contact the designated female security officer for her case, who will promptly ensure her safety.
The woman first received police protection from the High Court in June. After the police reported difficulties in locating her, the interim protection was temporarily lifted.
Last week, when she approached the police again for safety, the court reinstated her protection. The next hearing for this case is scheduled for next week.
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