Interfaith couple flees Jharkhand, gets married in Kerala, secures HC order on cop cover

KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Thursday granted police protection to an interfaith couple from Jharkhand who fled due to threats from their families, sought refuge in Kerala and later got married.
The bench of Justice CS Dias issued the order on a petition filed by Asha Verma and Mohammad Galib, a newlywed couple from Jharkhand currently residing at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district, seeking police protection. The couple alleged that their family members, along with Jharkhand police, arrived in Kerala and threatened them. The court also directed the police to ensure that the couple is not forcibly taken back to their home state during the pendency of the petition.
The petitioners stated that they hail from Chitarpur in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, belong to different religions, and have been in a relationship for 10 years. Facing persistent threats from their families, including the risk of honour killing, they moved to Kerala on Feb 2 and solemnized their marriage on Feb 11 as per Islamic rites at Kayamkulam.
According to the petition, on Feb 14, Asha's sister, accompanied by Jharkhand police, arrived in Kerala and coerced her to claim that she had been abducted by Galib.
They allegedly pressured Asha to record a video stating she had been taken against her will. However, instead, she recorded a video asserting that she and Galib had voluntarily travelled to Kerala, legally married, and were now living as husband and wife.
She further alleged that her sister and the Jharkhand police threatened to forcibly take her back to Jharkhand if she did not falsely claim she had been abducted.
Despite the couple filing complaints with police and state police chief, no action was taken. They also alleged that Jharkhand police officers have been patrolling the area around their residence with assistance of Kayamkulam police. Left with no other option, they moved HC.