The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the police not to arrest Malayalam rapper, lyricist and performing artist Hiran Das Murali, popularly known as Vedan in connection with a rape case based on a woman's complaint alleging sexual exploitation under the false pretext of marriage [Hiran Das Murali v State of Kerala & Anr].
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the interim order on an anticipatory bail application filed by Vedan. The protection from arrest will continue until the next posting date of the matter.
The case against Vedan was registered by the Thrikkakara Police based on a young doctor's complaint.
According to the first information report (FIR), the complainant and the petitioner (Vedan) were in a consensual relationship until 2021, which began after the complainant reached out to him as a fan.
Over time, their association allegedly turned intimate, first in Calicut and later in Ernakulam.
The complainant stated that Vedan made repeated promises to marry her, which led to multiple instances of physical intimacy and even financial transactions.
In his anticipatory bail application, Vedan contended that the relationship was voluntary and consensual and that the complaint was filed only after a personal fallout between the two.
According to the petition, even if the allegations are accepted at face value, it does not satisfy the legal ingredients of the offence of rape under Sections 376 (punishment of rape) and 376(2)(n) (commits repeated rape on same woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
Citing several precedents, it was argued that a broken promise of marriage, especially in a long standing consensual relationship, does not automatically amount to rape unless the promise was false from the beginning.
Vedan further alleged that a group of individuals are conspiring to malign his reputation and extort money by filing coordinated complaints.
Several threatening voice messages and calls have reportedly been received by Vedan and his associates, which Vedan claims are part of this orchestrated campaign.
The plea added that Vedan is a public figure and an artist with no prior criminal record. Custodial interrogation is unnecessary as he is willing to fully cooperate with the investigation, the petition stated.
The Court had previously allowed an application filed by the complainant woman to be impleaded in this case. She has opposed the grant of relief to the rapper arguing that he had two other rape complaints against him, making him a habitual offender.
Vedan was represented by advocates S Rajeev, V Vinay, MS Aneer, Sarath KP, Anilkumar CR, KS Kiran Krishnan, Dipa V, Akash Cherian Thomas, and Azad Sunil.
Earlier this year, Vedan was arrested twice in two separate cases, one in April, where he was held with others on allegations of cannabis possession in Kochi and another for wearing a leopard tooth pendant, which he said, was a fan’s gift.
He secured bail in both cases.
Last week, the police issued a lookout notice against Vedan who is believed to be absconding.