ANTICIPATORY BAIL GRANTED TO VEDAN , ACCUSED OF RAPE

By Anshika Khera

The Kerala High court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to rapper Hirandas Murali, known as Vedan, in a rape case, saying that while the charges against him were serious, his custodial interrogation was not necessary. He was accused by a lady doctor of entering into a sexual relationship with her on the promise of marriage and later withdrawing from the same. He was granted bail by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas.

The lady doctor has also accused him of sexually harassing her multiple times between 2021 and 2023. The High court said as quoted,” There were numerous occasions when they stayed together and had physical relationships…. In such circumstances, denying anticipatory bail to the petitioner (Vedan) would result in serious prejudice”. It  further said that labelling a physical intimacy as rape after a relationship ceases to exist was “illogical and harsh”.

Before granting the bail , Vedan was directed by the court that he appear before the investigating officer (IO) on September 9 and 10 from 10 am to 5 pm for questioning.”The petitioner shall not leave India without the permission of the court having jurisdiction,” the statement was added by the High court.