Jharkhand Police Which Came Looking For Inter-Faith Couple Has Gone Back: State Informs Kerala HC, Protection Order Extended By A Month

The case was filed before the High Court by the couple seeking police protection, saying they faced threat from their families.

The couple, Asha Verma and Mohammad Ghalib who belong to two different religions hail from Ramgarh district in Jharkhand. They were in a relationship for the past ten years and due to threat from their families, they moved to Kerala on February 09, 2025. 

The couple who got married as per Islamic rites in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district on February 11 are facing threat from their families. The petitioner girl submitted that she is being coerced by her family to allege that she was abducted, and stated that their lives are in danger.

On February 27, the high court had granted the couple police protection and had directed the police to ensure that they are not repatriated to any other place during the pendency of the writ petition. On Friday, Justice C. S. Dias extended that order for one month.

The Government Pleader submitted before the Court that the couple has given written statement to Alaapuzha District Superintendent of Police that they are living together out of their free will and consent and they propose to live in Kerala. The Court has now asked the District Superintendent to file his statement.

The Court ordered that if the couple are required for any investigation, the investigating officer can issue them a notice under Section 35(3) of BNSS.

Case Title: Asha Verma v Director General of Police 

Case No: WPC 7928/2025