Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday eased two bail conditions imposed on rapper Vedan while granting him anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case. Justice C Pratheep Kumar deleted the conditions that barred Vedan from leaving Kerala and required him to appear before the Investigating Officer (IO) every Sunday. The rapper, however, must inform the IO in advance if he plans to travel abroad.

The order clears the way for Vedan’s upcoming international tour, with concerts scheduled in Dubai, Qatar, France and Germany between November 23 and December 20.

The court noted in its order: “In case conditions Nos. 3 and 5 are lifted, the petitioner must report before the IO as and when required and inform in advance if he intends to leave India. In light of the above submission, the petition is disposed of as follows:
1. Condition Nos. 3 and 5 are deleted.
2. The petitioner shall report before the IO as and when called for, with prior notice.”

According to the prosecution, in December 2022, Vedan, officially known as Hirandas, allegedly took the complainant, a research scholar in Dalit Music, to his flat under the pretext of listening to music. Once inside, he allegedly spoke in a sexually explicit manner and attempted to sexually harass her. When she tried to leave, he reportedly caught hold of her and kissed her.

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An FIR was registered at the Ernakulam Central Police Station under Sections 294(b) (obscene acts and songs), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354A(1)(i) (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code.

Vedan had challenged the two bail conditions, arguing they restricted his professional travel. The Sessions Court had earlier relaxed one condition, allowing him to leave Kerala between September 23 and October 23. The High Court noted that the rapper had been complying with all conditions and that prior intimation to the IO would suffice before travelling abroad.

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The petition was moved by Advocates C Dheeraj Rajan, Anand Kalyanakrishnan and Libin Varghese.
(With LiveLaw inputs)

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