Overview
- The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted Mohammed Farmaan one month of transit anticipatory bail, protecting him from arrest so he can apply for regular anticipatory bail in the Madhya Pradesh courts.
- Madhya Pradesh police filed an FIR after the woman’s father complained, accusing Farmaan of kidnapping and listing offences under the POCSO Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the SC/ST Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that allege abduction and forgery.
- The couple produced an Aadhaar card, election ID and bank records and the Kerala court said those documents prima facie indicate the woman is a major, while the couple told the court they face threats, including possible honour killing, if returned to Madhya Pradesh.
- Madhya Pradesh authorities, represented by the ASG, argued the birth and marriage certificates are forged, rely on an NCST inquiry that gives a December 2009 birthdate, and contend the temple ceremony cannot validate an interfaith marriage.
- The one‑month protection clarifies the immediate path forward but leaves parallel processes active—the Madhya Pradesh investigation, the NCST findings and rival petitions in both states will determine age, document authenticity, jurisdiction and the marriage’s legal status.