Kerala High Court restores police protection to Kumbh Mela fame Monalisa

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday restored the interim police protection granted to Kumbh Mela fame Monalisa.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order after Monalisa informed the Court that she had approached the police and sought protection in writing, as directed earlier by the Court.

"Since the petitioner has now approached the police, the interim order directing grant of police protection shall continue," said the Court.

The Court also added Station House Officer (SHO) of Palarivattom Police Station as a party to the case. It directed the authorities to continue providing adequate protection to Monalisa.

Monalisa, who gained nationwide attention after videos of her selling prayer beads at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela went viral, approached the Kerala High Court alleging threats to her life after her marriage to actor Mohammed Farman Khan.

She told the Court that the couple had been subjected to an online hate campaign, intimidation and death threats following their inter-faith marriage. According to her, social media accounts circulated abusive content against them, protests were held in which photographs of the couple were burnt, and she received messages threatening to shoot her for marrying a "Pakistani."

On June 20, the High Court had granted Monalisa interim police protection after observing that she was, prima facie, entitled to protection for her life.

Subsequently, the interim protection had early been vacated on July 10 after the State informed the Court that the police were unable to trace Monalisa and, therefore, could not provide protection.

While vacating the order, the Court had clarified that if she approached the appropriate police station and sought protection in writing, the police should provide her with adequate protection.

When the matter was taken up on Tuesday, Monalisa's counsel submitted that, pursuant to the Court's earlier order, she approached the police and requested protection.

The government pleader, in turn, informed the Court that the police has identified her place of residence and has shared the contact details of a woman Assistant Sub-Inspector with her so that she could seek immediate assistance whenever required.

"The interim order to continue," the Court then directed.

Monalisa was represented by advocates PS Anishad, Limna Bhaskaran, Sreeparvathi GV, Samuel Sabu, KK Preetha and Siyad Ummer.

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