KOCHI: The Kerala High Court Today granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, better known as Vedan, in a case alleging rape on the false promise of marriage.
The order was passed by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who underlined that criminal law cannot be stretched to treat every failed relationship as sexual assault.
The Complaint was filed by a young Doctor, who alleged that Vedan misled her with a marriage promise before engaging in physical relations. The prosecution argued that the rapper had followed a similar pattern with other women and opposed his bail plea. The police have already seized mobile phones of both parties and are continuing their investigation in Kochi and Kozhikode, where the alleged incidents took place.
Delivering the order, Justice Thomas observed:
"Labelling physical intimacy as rape merely because the relationship has ceased to exist is illogical. The breakup of a consensual relationship leading to criminal proceedings will destroy the future of an individual."
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The court added that consent obtained by outright deception of marriage stands on a different footing, but consent given under expectation of marriage must be assessed separately in each case.
Though the allegations are serious, the court held that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. Vedan was directed to appear before the investigating officer on September 9 and 10 for limited questioning. Importantly, the judge clarified that reports of another case or fresh complaints against the rapper were not relevant to the present proceedings.
This order comes months after Vedan secured bail in a separate wildlife case concerning possession of a leopard tooth. The court's observations are likely to spark wider debate on how consensual relationships are interpreted under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.
Case Title: Hiran Das Murali v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: Bail Appl. 9377/ 2025
