Kerala High Court Grants Transit Bail to Farmaan Khan in Kidnapping Case Linked to Interfaith Marriage

The couple married in March 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram and have been residing in Kerala since their marriage. Following the wedding, the woman’s father lodged a complaint with the Madhya Pradesh Police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report against Khan. The case includes allegations of kidnapping, offences against members of Scheduled Tribes under relevant laws, and child marriage.

The controversy intensified after the woman’s father claimed that she was a minor at the time of the marriage. Based on these allegations, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also initiated an inquiry into the matter.

Fearing arrest and citing security concerns arising from the controversy surrounding their interfaith marriage, the couple approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. During subsequent proceedings, they submitted official records before the court to establish that the woman had attained 18 years of age at the time of the marriage.

The Madhya Pradesh Police opposed the plea, arguing that the petition should have been filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which has jurisdiction over the case. The police further alleged that the couple had obtained the birth certificate and marriage certificate by providing false information and contended that both documents were forged.

After examining the material placed before it, the Kerala High Court observed that the documents produced by the couple prima facie indicated that the woman had attained the age of majority. The court also noted that Khan’s apprehension of an inter-state arrest was “well-founded” and held that he had satisfactorily explained his inability to seek anticipatory bail from the competent court in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the woman has also approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, alleging that her father and others produced forged documents to falsely portray her as a minor because she married a man belonging to another faith.

The High Court’s decision provides temporary legal protection to Khan and enables the couple to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court for further relief. The case continues to draw attention due to the allegations, the dispute over the woman’s age, and the wider controversy surrounding the interfaith marriage.