Can't Give Decision On 'Popularistic View': Kerala High Court While Reserving Verdict In Rapper Vedan's Anticipatory Bail Plea In Rape Case

During the hearing, the complainant's counsel furnished some additional documents before the Court, which included certain Facebook posts. This prompted Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas to orally observe,

“If the court starts giving decisions on the basis of a popularistic view, that would be the end of the legal system.”

“Is it a false promise of marriage or is it a promise of marriage which was not subsequently abided by him?” the Court further asked in the facts of the case.

As per Vedan, the de facto complainant had reached out to him on the claim that she was a fan of his and thereafter, they kept in touch with each other. Subsequently, they developed a consensual physical relationship.

The rapper claims that the FIR has been lodged merely because of some differences of opinion between them.

The Court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest, while the anticipatory bail was being considered.

On Monday it orally remarked, “Initially they have all the intention to marry each other, and subsequently for some reason, the relationship turns sour and break-up. Does it mean that the physical relationship that they had would transform into rape? Or the promise of marriage is false...Is it fair?...It is a thin line. It is a complex issue faced by court.”

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

Case No - Bail Appl. 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.