Khargone Police to File Additional Charges in Tribal Minor Marriage Case After NCST Probe
Police in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh are preparing to file additional charges against Farman Khan, the accused in a controversial marriage case involving a tribal girl from Maheshwar town. This development follows the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) concluding its investigation and confirming that the girl is indeed a minor.
Existing Charges and Planned Additions
Kidnapping charges have already been registered against Khan at the Maheshwar police station. A senior police official has confirmed that additional legal sections, including provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, may be added as the investigation progresses further.
NCST Investigation Findings
The NCST inquiry was initiated after Uttar Pradesh-based social worker Pratham Dubey filed a formal complaint on March 17. A special investigation team was dispatched and conducted visits to both Kerala and Maheshwar to gather evidence and information.
NCST Chairman Antar Singh Arya stated that the team collected all relevant documents during their investigation. The Commission confirmed two critical findings: the girl belongs to a Scheduled Tribe community and she is a minor. Based on these conclusions, the NCST has sought an action taken report from the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police and Khargone district authorities within three days.
Birth Record Discrepancies Uncovered
Investigators discovered significant discrepancies in the girl's birth records during their probe. An affidavit-based certificate listed her date of birth as January 1, 2008, while Community Health Centre records showed December 30, 2009. Officials at the Kerala temple where the marriage ceremony took place on March 11 stated they had no prior acquaintance with the couple and emphasized that Aadhaar cards cannot be treated as valid proof of date of birth for such purposes.
Based on the available evidence, the girl was approximately 16 years and two months old at the time of the marriage ceremony.
Broader Institutional Response
The National Human Rights Commission has also become involved in the case, issuing a formal notice to the Khargone superintendent of police. Meanwhile, the girl's parents have made a direct appeal to authorities, requesting her immediate return to their custody.
The case continues to develop as law enforcement agencies coordinate their response to what has become a multi-faceted investigation involving tribal rights, child protection laws, and marriage regulations.
