The Kerala High Court recently directed the Regional Passport Officer, Ernakulam, to issue a customised Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to allow Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, to travel abroad.
Justice Murali Purushothaman noted a previous finding of the court that a person was entitled to travel abroad with the permission of the court with relevant jurisdiction, even if there was a pending criminal case. The customised PCC would include details of the criminal cases pending against the rapper.
Mr. Murali was accused in a case registered with Hill Palace police station connected to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, after officials had recovered suspected drugs from his apartment near Vytilla. He was also booked by the Mekkappala Forest Station under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for possession of a leopard tooth. The court had permitted him to leave the territory of India under conditions in two other cases registered by the Ernakulam Central police station and Thrikkakkara police station, where the rapper was booked under allegations of sexual harassment and rape.
The Officer stated that an adverse police verification report was obtained stating that Mr. Murali was arrayed as accused in these cases.Â
Mr. Murali contended that the court had earlier directed the Officer to issue PCC allowing his travel to other countries. He stated that he was a stage performing artists and was invited to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland for stage shows.Â
The court allowed Mr. Murali’s petition, clarifying that he may not leave the country without express permission from the court concerned, in cases where no orders are granted permitting his travel abroad.
Published – October 05, 2026 08:24 pm IST
