Rapper Vedan among nine held in narcotics raid

Popular Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, known to fans as Vedan, was arrested on Monday along with eight others following a narcotics raid at his rented apartment in Kaniyampuzha, near Vyttila in Kochi. Authorities confirmed that 6 grams of ganja were seized during the operation, leading to charges under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The Hill Palace police initiated the raid after receiving a tip-off regarding illegal drug use at the apartment. Officials carried out a search operation by noon, which extended well into the evening. Despite checking two cars parked at the premises, officers reported that no additional contraband was discovered beyond what was found inside the apartment. The nine individuals arrested include members of Vedan's music band, as well as associated artists and administrative staff.
Speaking to local media, police officials stated that the accused are likely to be released on station bail following standard legal procedures. "The quantum of the substance seized is relatively small," a senior police officer explained, adding that while the charge under the NDPS Act is serious, station bail is applicable when quantities are within the threshold defined as personal consumption under the law.
Vedan, who has gained popularity for his Malayalam-language rap compositions addressing social issues, was considered a rising voice in the Kerala independent music scene. His arrest has come as a surprise to his fanbase, many of whom have expressed their shock on social media platforms. Several artists and industry peers have either refrained from commenting or have cautiously called for the legal process to take its course before arriving at any judgment.
The raid was carried out with prior authorisation, following intelligence gathered over several days. Authorities maintained that they acted on credible information that the apartment was being used for consumption of banned substances. According to the police, Vedan and his companions did not resist the raid and cooperated during the search and questioning process. Initial forensic tests confirmed the presence of ganja, strengthening the case against the accused. Open URL