Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam rapper and songwriter Vedan in a rape case filed by a doctor in July, alleging sexual abuse on the pretext of marriage.
Granting bail, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that labelling a physical relationship as rape after it ends is “illogical and harsh”.
“Consent for sexual intercourse on a false promise of marriage and consent on the expectation, or assumption of marriage, are both different. What separates these two is a thin line. Nevertheless, the fact remains that labelling physical intimacy as rape after a relationship ceases to exist is illogical and harsh,” the Kerala HC judgment stated.
On 31 July 2025, the Thrikkakara police booked Vedan, born Hirandas Murali in a Dalit family, after the young doctor alleged that he had sexually abused her on multiple occasions. The rapper is known for challenging caste and making political statements in his creative work for films and independent music.
According to the complaint, the first incident occurred in August 2021 at her apartment in Kozhikode, where he raped her after initially seeking permission to kiss her. The complaint further stated that the artist continued to have sexual intercourse with her on several occasions thereafter, till March 2023.
The doctor said that in July 2023, Vedan ended the relationship with her after calling her “toxic”, accusing her of preventing him from having sex with other women. She also stressed her inability to file a complaint earlier, after they broke up, as she became depressed and feared public reactions. Eventually, she decided to approach the police when Vedan claimed on social media that his present relationship was his first.
The complainant further alleged that he had abused several women, and granting him bail would affect all their lives.
In 2021, multiple women accused Vedan of abuse during the 2021 MeToo movement, after which the rapper issued a public apology. The artist, however, has maintained that the allegations are false and part of attempts to tarnish his image.
In the current case in the Kerala HC, Vedan’s counsel argued that at most, the complaint revealed a consensual relationship that ended due to incompatibility. The Kerala HC also observed that the circumstances suggested a consensual relationship, which, subsequently, turned sour.
“On a consideration of the circumstances arising in the case, this court is of the view that though the allegations against the petitioner are serious, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required,” the Kerala HC judgment said, adding that the artist should appear before the investigating officer on 9 and 10 September for interrogation.
The Kerala HC also prohibited Vedan from travelling outside India without its permission.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)