KOCHI: Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, has landed in fresh legal trouble after a young doctor filed a rape complaint against him. The Thrikkakara police in Kochi registered a case against the 30-year-old singer from Thrissur on Wednesday.
Vedan’s team has denied the allegations, with his manager saying the complainant and the rapper had been in a relationship several years ago, which ended in a breakup. He said the matter will be dealt with legally.
The police said the complainant, who was a student at the time, came in contact with Vedan through Instagram in 2021 after sending messages criticising the statements he made in interviews.
Later that year, the singer allegedly visited her house and assaulted her sexually. He allegedly stayed at her house for three days. When the woman considered filing a police complaint, Vedan promised to marry her. Following this, he continued to sexually abuse her without consent, they said.
The complainant alleged that Vedan sexually harassed her again in 2022 after consuming drugs. She claimed she was raped on five occasions at different locations in Kozhikode and Kochi. The two had reportedly been in a relationship from August 2021 to March 31, 2023.
Since early 2023, Vedan allegedly began distancing himself from the woman, stating their relationship had turned “toxic” and it was affecting his ties with others.
The police said the complainant, who was in emotional distress, recently gained the courage to come forward with a complaint. “Mentally and emotionally exhausted from the incident, the victim had been under treatment for the past two years. In the complaint, the reason behind the delay in approaching the police is explained,” her lawyer Vimala Binu said.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya said a case of rape under relevant sections of the IPC has been registered based on the victim’s detailed statement and a detailed probe was on.
“There were financial transactions between the accused and the victim, and the latter said Vedan’s friends were aware of their relationship. We are in the process of completing the initial procedure, and will serve a notice on Vedan soon, after the procedure is done. We will also question the individuals mentioned by the victim as being aware of the incidents,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rapper’s manager, Vignesh, said the rape allegation against Vedan stems from a past relationship and he has decided to face it legally. “This is just a complaint. We will deal with it through proper legal channels,” he said, adding the complainant and the rapper had been in a relationship several years ago, which ended in a breakup.
“The complaint comes at a time Vedan is preparing for marriage and his latest track ‘Monalova’ has gained significant attention and acclaim. We are unaware of the reasons behind this sudden complaint. It might be an attempt to tarnish his reputation and disrupt his success,” alleged Vignesh. He said they had not received any formal notice from the authorities regarding the complaint. “We haven’t been officially informed about the case yet, but we are ready to face it legally,” he said.
Complainant alleges threats, to move court
The woman who recently filed a rape complaint against rapper Vedan is facing threats to life, her lawyer Vimala Binu alleged on Thursday. Vimala, who was interacting with reporters in Kochi, alleged that suspicious individuals were seen loitering near the victim’s house ever since news of the rape case broke, and that she had received threats via calls, which added to her fear and distress. “The victim has been under severe stress since filing the complaint. She continues to respect Vedan as an artist and for his ideology. Her fight is against his alleged abusive behaviour. Given the threat to her safety, we have decided to move court for police protection. The petition will be filed soon,” Vimala said.