Rapper Vedan arrested in rape case, police yet to verify allegations in second complaint

Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, known by his stage name Vedan, was arrested on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) in a rape case registered based on a complaint filed by a woman doctor. The Thrikkakara police in Kochi recorded Vedan’s arrest on the second day of interrogating him in connection with the case, a top police officer said.

Vedan was released on bail after completing the arrest procedures as he had already been granted anticipatory bail in the case by the Kerala High Court.

“The arrest was recorded as the investigators found enough evidence substantiating the allegations in the complaint. The investigation will proceed in its normal course,” the officer said.

Coming out of the police station after the arrest procedures, Vedan said he was fully confident about the case. “I’m very confident, you all don’t have to worry. I will say everything once I’m free. I will be around. Where can I go? I will keep performing,” he told media.

Vedan was booked by the Thrikkakara police in July-end after the woman doctor from Kozhikode accused him of raping her multiple times between 2021 and 2023 on the pretext of a false marriage promise. While granting him anticipatory bail, the High Court had observed that his custodial interrogation was not needed, although the charges against him were of serious nature.

Later in August, the Ernakulam Central police also registered a case against Vedan based on a complaint by a woman music researcher. In that case, he has been slapped with Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with the offence of using assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty, according to the police.

A city police officer said the statement of the complainant was yet to be recorded and further action will be taken only after verifying the allegations in the complaint. “We have contacted the complainant on email, but we have not received any reply,” the officer said.

Vedan had faced sexual abuse allegations in the past as well during the height of the Me Too movement. In another police action against him, the Hill Palace police in Kochi on April 28, 2025, arrested him along with eight friends allegedly with six grams of suspected ganja from an apartment near Vyttila in Kochi. While he was released on bail in that case, he was immediately arrested by the Forest Department after he was found possessing a leopard-tooth pendant. He claimed that it was gifted to him by a fan. Later, he was released on bail in that case as well.