Unlike the recent questioning of actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi, or the arrest of filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa in a similar hybrid cannabis case, Vedan’s arrest has taken a more complex turn.
Published Apr 29, 2025 | 8:40 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 29, 2025 | 8:40 PM
Vedan was taken into custody by the Forest Department on Tuesday in connection with a pendant made from a leopard's canine (fang) tooth, a protected wildlife part under Indian law.
Synopsis: Kerala rapper and activist Vedan was arrested and granted station bail following a narcotics raid at his Kochi residence, where police seized around six grams of ganja. Subsequently, the Forest Department took him into custody for possessing a leopard’s canine tooth pendant, a serious wildlife offence under Indian law.
Rapper and activist Hirandas Murali, better known by his stage name Vedan, who rose to fame as the raw and rebellious voice of Kerala’s marginalised, was arrested on Monday, 28 April, from his rented apartment in Kaniyampuzha near Vyttila, Kochi, in a high-profile narcotics raid.
Unlike the recent questioning of actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi, or the arrest of filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa in a similar hybrid cannabis case, Vedan’s arrest has taken a more complex turn.
He now faces charges from the police, the Excise Department, and the Forest Department. The state government has since cancelled an official programme featuring him.
When contacted by South First, officials at the Hill Palace Police Station, Thrippunithura, confirmed that Vedan had been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He is currently out on station bail.
Earlier reports had suggested that Vedan was also charged under the Arms Act for alleged possession of weapons. However, police denied these reports, stating to South First that no such charges had been filed.
According to the Station House Officer (SHO), the raid was conducted based on a confidential tip-off, leading to the seizure of around six grams of ganja from the flat. Vedan was present along with a group comprising his band members and some associated officials.
The raid began at around 11.45 am and continued until the evening. Police also inspected two vehicles used by the suspects but found no additional contraband.
On Tuesday, the Forest Department took Vedan into custody in connection with a pendant made from a leopard’s canine tooth.
After being granted bail by the Tripunithura police in the ganja possession case, Vedan was shifted to the Malayatoor Divisional Forest Office at Kodanad for questioning.
During initial interrogation, he reportedly said that the fang was sourced from Thailand. However, further investigation revealed that it was gifted to him by a fan from Tamil Nadu.
Forest Minister AK Saseendran said a case had been filed under wildlife protection laws and that an investigation was underway to trace the origin of the tooth.
Forest officials confirmed that the individual who gifted the item would be summoned for detailed questioning.
Muhammed Anvar Yunus, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Biodiversity Cell), told South First that possession of a leopard’s fang is a non-bailable offence under Indian law, punishable by imprisonment ranging from three to seven years and a fine of ₹10,000.
“Possession of such items is considered illegal even in other countries, as most leopard species are protected under international conservation schedules,” he added.
Vedan remains in the custody of the Forest Department and is scheduled to be produced before the Perumbavoor First Class Judicial Magistrate Court by 5 pm on Wednesday, 30 April.
The court has granted the department two days’ custody to facilitate evidence collection and further investigation.
Officials plan to search Vedan’s flat in Thrippunithura and his house in Thrissur. He will also be taken to a jewellery shop in Viyyur, Thrissur, where the fang was allegedly modified into a pendant.
Vedan has filed a bail application in the wildlife offence case, which will be considered by the court on 2 May. So far, he has declined requests for comment, saying he would respond to the controversy later.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
