The Kerala High Court today provided anticipatory bail to acclaimed Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly called Vedan, in a contentious rape case brought by a young doctor. The court recognized the weight of the claims but concluded that holding him for questioning was not required, allowing him to steer clear of immediate detention.

Born on October 25, 1994, in Thrissur, Kerala, Vedan has built a strong reputation as a rapper and songwriter, drawing inspiration from his father's folk music traditions and earning fans with his thought-provoking lyrics on social issues. His rise in the regional music world includes hit tracks that blend humor and commentary, making him a notable figure in Kerala's hip-hop community.

The accusations trace back to 2021, when the complainant, a doctor, alleged she first linked with Vedan on Instagram, swapped contact details, and entered a romantic bond after he vowed to marry her. She charged him with repeated physical intimacy over the next two years under that assurance, followed by his abrupt retreat, which she labeled as rape and ongoing harassment.

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Vedan countered in his plea that the connection was mutual and started when she approached him as a supporter, insisting the fallout came from mutual conflicts rather than any broken pledge. During hearings, the complainant's team submitted social media evidence to bolster her stance on the deceptive marriage offer.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas heard the matter, reserving the verdict on August 25 after weighing both positions. The judge highlighted the nuanced boundary in such matters, questioning if the commitment was dishonest from the outset or simply unkept later, and stressed that rulings must avoid influence from widespread sentiments. The court also dismissed relevance of emerging complaints from other women in deciding this bail.

This decision arrives as Vedan navigates additional troubles, with recent sexual assault reports from a research student and another doctor adding to his legal woes. Earlier this year, he obtained bail in a separate incident over alleged leopard tooth possession.

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