New Delhi, July 30:
The Kerala High Court has directed the state government and police to ensure that the young girl who shot to fame during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela is not handed over to the Madhya Pradesh police or anyone else without the court’s order.
The direction was issued by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas after the court was informed that the the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has directed the State Police Chief of Kerala to hand over the girl to the Madhya Pradesh police immediately.
The High Court said the commission was neither a court nor a tribunal or even an adjudicatory body and prima facie only has recommendatory powers.
Therefore, it cannot issue any directions that touches upon the right to life of an individual, it said.
The HC was also of the view that the commission’s order indicates that the girl’s apprehension of threat to her life was “bonafide and imminent”.