Kerala HC Grants Police Protection To Interfaith Couple Who Fled Jharkhand And Married In Alappuzha

The Kerala High Court has ordered police protection for a couple from Jharkhand seeking asylum in the state, directing the Alappuzha district police chief to ensure the safety of the couple. The court stipulated that they should not be sent back to their home state during the protection period. The Kayamkulam SHO has also been ordered to ensure compliance with the court’s directive.

The High Court’s intervention came in response to a petition filed by Asha Verma and Ghalib, both natives of Jharkhand, seeking protection and an explanation from the police.

Ghalib and Asha, who had been in a long-standing relationship, faced opposition from Asha’s family regarding their union. While Ghalib was in the UAE for work, Asha’s family arranged her marriage to another man. When Ghalib came to know about this, he returned home, leading to alleged violence from Asha’s family and relatives.