Viral Kumbh girl Monalisa exposed as minor, husband Farman Khan booked under POCSO

A viral Kumbh Mela story has taken a legal turn after Monalisa was found to be a minor. Police have booked her husband under POCSO, exposing forged documents and triggering a multi-state probe.

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 10 April 2026, 7:05 PM IST

Viral Kumbh girl Monalisa exposed as minor (Img: Internet)

New Delhi: A viral story from the Maha Kumbh Mela has taken a serious legal turn after Monalisa, who gained popularity as a bead seller, was found to be a minor.

The finding emerged following an inquiry by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), which confirmed that she was underage at the time of her marriage.

FIR Filed Under POCSO

Based on the inquiry, police in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh have registered a case against her husband, Farman Khan, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

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Additional charges have also been invoked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, considering the victim’s tribal background.

Birth Records Reveal Age

According to officials, hospital records from Maheshwar indicate that Monalisa was born on December 30, 2009. This makes her around 16 years old at the time of her marriage on March 11, 2026.

Investigators said she belongs to the Pardhi tribal community, a detail that also influenced the legal provisions applied in the case.

Forged Documents Used for Marriage

The inquiry revealed that the marriage was conducted in Kerala using a forged birth certificate that falsely showed her as an adult. Authorities have ordered the cancellation of the document.

Officials said the marriage was registered at a local gram panchayat office based on the fabricated records. Temple authorities reportedly relied on Aadhaar details submitted by the couple.

Multi-State Probe and Summons Issued

The NCST, under the supervision of its chairman Antar Singh Arya, conducted the investigation across Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

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The commission has issued summons to senior police officials of both states, asking them to appear in New Delhi on April 22. It has also sought regular updates on the progress of the case.

Case Raises Wider Concerns

The incident, which initially gained attention as a cross-community marriage, has now raised serious questions about document verification and safeguards for minors.

Authorities said the matter is under close monitoring, with further investigation underway.