Vedan rape case: Police issue lookout notice against rapper

The Kochi City police in Kerala have issued a lookout circular against Malayalam rapper and songwriter Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, to stop him from flying out of the country.

The circular was issued in connection with the rape case registered against him by the Thrikkakara police on July 30 on a doctor’s complaint that Vedan allegedly abused her sexually on the promise of marriage.

Senior police sources said the investigation was still under way and that the police have not yet moved to arrest him. The investigation also covers alleged financial transactions involving Vedan and the petitioner. The police were also verifying the petitioner’s claim that some people were aware about the happenings. Their statements would be recorded.

The incidents leading to the complaint were found to have taken place a few years ago. The case was registered by the Thrikkakara police after it was mentioned as one of the places where the alleged sexual abuse on the promise of marriage took place.

Reportedly, the petitioner came forward with the complaint after she came across an account of another woman who have had similar experiences with Vedan that she allegedly faced. Vedan has faced sexual abuse allegations in the past during the height of the ‘#Me Too’ movement.

On April 28, 2025, the Hill Palace police in Kochi arrested Vedan along with eight other friends allegedly with six grams of ganja from his apartment near Vyttila. While he was released on bail in that case, he was immediately arrested by the Forest department after he was found possessing a leopard-tooth pendant. He claimed that it was gifted to him by a fan. He was later released on bail in that case as well.

Since then, he had run-ins with the BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits after a BJP councillor of Palakkad municipality lodged a complaint against Vedan alleging that his music allegedly defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoted caste divisions.