Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Farman Khan, husband of Monalisa Bhosle, the woman who went viral during the Kumbh Mela, after investigations found she is a minor.
Khargone Police booked Khan, a native of Maharashtra, on charges including criminal conspiracy and illegal marriage under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was filed after authorities confirmed Monalisa had not reached the legal age for marriage.
According to findings cited by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, hospital records show Monalisa was born on December 30, 2009. She was 16 years, 2 months, and 12 days old at the time of her marriage on March 11.
The marriage took place in Kerala after the couple left their home states following opposition from the girl’s family. Monalisa reportedly fled to avoid a forced marriage arranged by her family and travelled with Khan to Kerala. The couple approached the Thampanoor Police in Thiruvananthapuram seeking protection.
Their relationship began through Facebook and continued despite family resistance. The couple chose Kerala, stating they expected less opposition compared to their home states.
The wedding was conducted at a temple near Poovar and drew public attention, with questions raised about the girl’s age soon after.
During press interactions after the marriage, Monalisa and her husband produced Aadhaar and other documents claiming she was 18. Those documents reportedly showed a date of birth around 1 January 2008, which would make her legally an adult. Authorities and even the temple relied on these documents while conducting the marriage, according to a report by The Free Press Journal.
Monalisa told police she did not want to return with her father and wished to stay with Khan.
Police said the couple had arrived in Poovar as part of a film shoot. Monalisa’s father later returned home. The case against Khan is under investigation.