3 weeks ago
MP High Court Extends Interim Protection to Viral Kumbh Couple
A woman became famous on the internet after videos of her selling rudraksha garlands at the Maha Kumbh in 2025 went viral.
Later, she went to Kerala for a photo shoot and met a man there.
The two got married in March 2026.
After the marriage, an official group called the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes said the woman was only 16 years old when she got married.
They also said someone used a fake birth certificate.
Because of this, the police filed a case against her husband.
The couple says the woman's father changed her birth records on purpose to make the marriage seem wrong.
A court in Kerala protected the husband from arrest and let him travel to Madhya Pradesh to fight the case.
A court in Madhya Pradesh has now said the couple can keep their protection for now.
The case will be heard again on August 17, 2026.
The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court continued interim protection against coercive action for the viral Kumbh Mela girl and her husband.
The case involves allegations that the woman's birth records were manipulated to portray her as a minor and criminalise the couple's interfaith marriage.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes alleged she was 16 at the time of marriage and that a forged birth certificate had been used, leading to a POCSO case against her husband.
The couple alleges the woman's father conspired to manipulate her birth records and trigger criminal proceedings, including kidnapping allegations.
The matter was listed for August 17, 2026, after the Kerala High Court had earlier granted the husband transit bail to approach the Madhya Pradesh court.
- Who
- The viral 'Kumbh girl' and her husband, the bench of Justice Gajendra Singh of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
- What
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court extended the couple's interim protection in a case involving alleged manipulation of the woman's birth records and criminal proceedings, including a POCSO case, over their interfaith marriage.
- Where
- The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court; earlier proceedings took place in Kerala courts.
- When
- The interim protection was continued on Tuesday, with the next hearing listed for August 17, 2026; the couple married in March 2026.
- Why
- The couple challenged the criminal proceedings, claiming the woman's birth records were manipulated to portray her as a minor and criminalise their marriage.
Couple's Defense
Prosecution / Commission Allegations
Woman's Age at Marriage
Couple's Defense
The couple says her birth records were manipulated to portray her as a minor and criminalise their lawful interfaith marriage; they seek restoration of her original birth certificate.
Prosecution / Commission Allegations
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes alleged she was 16 at the time of marriage and that a forged birth certificate had been used.
Legitimacy of Criminal Case
Couple's Defense
The couple challenged the criminal proceedings, alleging the woman's father conspired to manipulate records and trigger the case, and sought an independent investigation into the manipulation and forgery of government records.
Prosecution / Commission Allegations
A POCSO case and other provisions were registered against the husband, and the MP High Court earlier declined his anticipatory bail, observing that the date-of-birth dispute is a matter for trial.
Key facts
- Court
- Indore Bench, Madhya Pradesh High Court
- Presiding Judge
- Justice Gajendra Singh
- Next Hearing
- August 17, 2026
- Marriage Date
- March 2026
- Key Allegation
- Woman was 16 at marriage; forged birth certificate used (per National Commission for Scheduled Tribes)
- Laws Invoked
- POCSO Act and other provisions
- Background
- Girl went viral at Maha Kumbh 2025 selling rudraksha garlands
- Earlier Relief
- Kerala High Court granted protection from arrest and transit bail to husband
Sources
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