Kerala High Court To Consider Vedan's Anticipatory Bail In Rape Case Tomorrow, Impleads Complainant

The Kerala High Court on Monday (August 18) permitted the complainant in a rape case filed against rapper Vedan, officially known as Hiran Das Murali, to be impleaded as a party-respondent in his plea seeking anticipatory bail.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas thus allowed the plea moved by the de facto complainant, on whose complaint the case was registered by Thrikkakkara Police under Sections 376 [Punishment for rape] and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code.

The complainant, a young doctor, has alleged that Vedan had raped her on a false promise of marriage.

When the matter came up today, counsel appearing for the de facto complainant submitted that two other crimes have been registered against the rapper based on complaints by two women alleging the same offence. It was thus urged that he should be considered as a 'habitual offender'.

However, the Court orally observed, "Each crime will have to be considered on the basis of the merits of that case."

It further told the counsel for the de facto complainant to produce the documents that she is relying upon, and the public prosecutor to get instructions.

The case is posted tomorrow (August 19) for further consideration.

Background

As per the complaint, the de facto complainant had stated that she met Vedan through Instagram and after messaging him, they exchanged phone numbers. It was also stated that Vedan had promised to marry her and they engaged in physical relationship on various occasions.

In the bail application, it was stated that the de facto complainant had reached out to the petitioner on the claim that she was a fan of his and thereafter, they kept in touch with each other. Subsequently, they developed a consensual relationship and the complaint was filed by her because of some differences of opinion between them.

Earlier this year, the High Court had granted bail to Vedan in another case of alleged possession of a leopard tooth.

Case Title: Hiran Das Murali v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: Bail Appl. No. 9377/2025

Counsel for the petitioner: S. Rajeev, V. Vinay, M.S. Aneer, Sarath K.P., Anilkumar C.R., K.S. Kiran Krishnan, Dipa V., Akash Cherian Thomas, Azad Sunil.

Counsel for the de facto complainant: Bimala Baby, Sibi Thomas Jacob, Magi Pavithran, Remya Thomas, Roshan Shaji.