Kerala HC Orders Police Protection for Viral Kumbh Mela Girl

Kerala High Court has directed the police to provide protection to the young girl who shot to fame during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and whose husband is now facing charges of kidnapping her. 

The High Court's order came on the girl's plea seeking directions to the state government and the SHO of the Ernakulam Central police station to safeguard her life. "Having heard the counsel for the petitioner (girl) as well as the government pleader, I am, prima facie, satisfied that the petitioner ought to be afforded protection for her



life.

"Accordingly, there will be a direction to the second respondent (SHO) to provide adequate protection to the life of the petitioner, pending disposal of the writ petition," the court said. It also issued notice to the state government and the SHO and listed the matter on July 10. 

Another bench of the High Court had earlier this month said that the girl prima facie appears to be a major and granted transit bail of one month to her husband so that he can move a Madhya Pradesh court to seek anticipatory bail in a kidnapping case against him.