Kochi city commissioner confirms assistance to MP police in Kumbh Mela girl marriage investigation

Kochi: With Madhya Pradesh police conducting a probe in Kochi relating to the controversial marriage of a girl who went viral on social media following a video shot during the Kumbh Mela, city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said that the city police have provided the Madhya Pradesh police all assistance that can be given legally when one force approaches another force, as it is a professional requirement.He said that the Madhya Pradesh police were investigating a case of abduction and are in Kochi as part of the investigation. He said that the woman has sought protection via email to various offices and since the matter is already under the court's consideration, he does not have anything to add to that. He added that the Madhya Pradesh police have been informed about the high court order preventing arrest. The woman was allowed to marry in Kerala to her partner after authorities here verified her documents and asserted that she was legally an adult. However, Madhya Pradesh police registered a case for abduction after enquiries there deemed her to be a minor. After the Madhya Pradesh police arrived in Kochi, the couple have been seeking protection from local police.