Malayalam rapper and lyricist Hirandas Murali, widely recognized by his stage name Vedan, has been booked for rape following a complaint by a doctor alleging repeated sexual assault between August 2021 and March 2023, under the false promise of marriage.
The Thrikkakara police in Ernakulam, Kerala, registered the FIR on Wednesday night after the complainant approached the Kochi Deputy Commissioner of Police and recorded her detailed statement. The Kochi Police Commissioner confirmed the complaint is under verification, and that Vedan is yet to be questioned or taken into custody.
According to the complaint, the victim initially met Vedan as a fan, which evolved into a personal relationship. She claims he exploited this trust, resulting in multiple instances of assault. The alleged abuse occurred across various locations, including Thrikkakara.
This isn’t Vedan’s first brush with similar accusations. During the MeToo movement, previous allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him, although no formal case was filed at the time.
The current charges have been filed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as the events occurred prior to the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Vedan has also faced multiple legal issues in recent months:
- April 2025: Arrested with eight others for possession of ganja.
- Later: Re-arrested for possessing a leopard-tooth pendant, violating the Wildlife Protection Act.
- May 2025: BJP leader lodged a complaint against him, alleging defamation of PM Modi and incitement of caste divisions through his lyrics.