THE man who "married" an 11-year-old girl last month has been ordered by the Kelantan Syariah High Court to be separated from the child, Berita Harian reported.

Allowing an application from the girl's father in chambers on Tuesday, Syariah High Court judge Abdullah Man said the 41-year-old tabligh group leader should not live with the girl.

Lawyer Mohd Zaki Zainal Abidin, who acted for the father, said the order was made based on the fact that the solemnisation of marriage was done without the child's presence and consent.

The marriage, the court ruled, must be void, adding that the two should not live together until the court made a new ruling.

The High Court also allowed the religious authorities and police to ensure that the couple did not live together adhering to the Kelantan Islamic Family Law Enactment (KILF) 2002.

Hearing for the case has been set for April 21.

Meanwhile, the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIK) ordered the husband to turn himself in to resolve several cases including that of his marriage to the girl.