Kochi: In a major relief for rapper Vedan alias Hirandas Murali, a native of Thrissur, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday extended his interim protection from arrest in an alleged rape case. A bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas restrained the police from arresting the singer till August 25, as his bail application is under consideration before the court. 

Vedan has been absconding after the Thrikkakara police booked him in the rape case on the basis of a complaint filed by a young doctor on July 30. The woman alleged that the rapper had raped her on the false promise of marriage.

An FIR was registered against Vedan under Sections 376 (rape) and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the petition, the de facto complainant had first reached out to the rapper, claiming to be a fan, and thereafter they kept in touch. The two eventually developed a close relationship and engaged in sexual relations on several occasions. However, Vedan contended that their relationship was consensual and that the complaint was filed merely due to differences of opinion between them.

Meanwhile, two other women have also filed complaints with the Chief Minister, alleging that the rapper sexually assaulted them in 2020 and 2021.

Amid this, Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya said on Wednesday that the investigation into rape allegations against rapper Vedan is "going in the right direction".

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, Vimaladitya said that the police never favoured Vedan. He said that all attempts were made to track down Vedan.

"He is currently absconding, and we are trying to track him down. The investigation of the case is moving on the right path. The procedures related to evidence collection and recording the statements of witnesses are going on," the commissioner said.

He added that there is no chance that Vedan has left the country. "We have taken all possible measures to prevent him from leaving the country," he added.

(With inputs from Live Law)