Kerala HC permits woman doctor to implead in sexual assault case against Vedan

The Kerala High Court on Monday permitted a woman doctor who alleged that Hirandas Murali, a Malayalam rapper popularly known as Vedan, had sexually assaulted her multiple times on the promise of marriage, to be impleaded as a party in an anticipatory bail plea filed by Vedan.

The counsel for the doctor, on whose complaint the Thrikkakara police registered a case, submitted before a Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas that two other women had also raised similar allegations against the rapper. He urged that Vedan be considered as a ‘habitual offender’.

Hearing on Tuesday

Observing that each crime would have to be considered on the basis of its merit, the court told the doctor’s counsel to produce the documents that she was relying on. The case was posted for hearing on Tuesday.

In his bail petition, Vedan contended that the doctor had reached out to him saying that she was his fan and that they had been in a consensual relationship from 2021 to 2023. He further added that she filed the complaint after there were differences of opinion between them.

The Kochi City police had issued a lookout circular against Vedan a week ago to prevent him from flying out of the country.