Malayalam rapper Vedan arrested in rape case on second day of questioning

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

The police officer said Vedan will be 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.

Vedan was booked by the Thrikkakara police based on a complaint filed by the woman doctor from Kozhikode who has 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.

The Ernakulam Central police have 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.