HC stays rapper Vedan's arrest in sexual assault case

KOCHI: The High Court stayed the arrest of rapper Vedan (Hiran das Murali) in the alleged sexual assault on a female doctor. The hearing on the anticipatory bail plea will continue tomorrow. The arrest has been stayed until the hearing is over.

The complainant's lawyer, the other day, argued about the rapper’s deviant nature and the scores of other sexual assault cases involving him. However, Vedan’s lawyer argued that the duo had consensual sexual relations and dismissed the assault angle.

According to the victim, who is also a doctor, Hirandas Murali sexually exploited her for two years by promising her marriage. The complainant, a native of Kottayam, met Vedan through social media when she was studying for PG at Kozhikode Medical College in 2019. Vedan gave her a promise of marriage after they started texting frequently on the phone.

According to the complaint:

In August 2021, Vedan reached the flat of the victim and kissed her forcefully while talking. He later forced her to have casual sex and promised marriage to her. He stayed for three days at her flat. Vedan started frequenting the apartment and took away Rs 31,000 from the victim, citing various needs.

In 2022, when she got a government job and was living in a flat in Thrikkakara, Vedan and his friends arrived at her place. That night, the two had sex. In March 2023, while the victim was at her friend's house in Eloor, Vedan reached there and engaged in a sexual act with her. After the incident, the two distanced themselves and seldom contacted.

On July 15, 2023, the victim met Vedan at Kochi, but the rapper was not in the mood to entertain her. He said she was proving to be a hindrance in his pursuit to seek love from other women.

The victim decided to file a complaint after being shocked by the number of women coming forward against the rapper, alleging the same sexual assault. The records of the financial transactions have also been handed over to the police. A case was registered under sections that carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a fine.

Meanwhile, two people filed a complaint against Vedan to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday.