Kerala HC Modifies Bail Condition To Allow Rapper Vedan To Travel Abroad For Concerts [Read Order]

Kerala: The Kerala High Court has modified the bail condition imposed on rapper Hiran Das Murali, popularly known as Vedan, in a case alleging rape on the false promise of marriage, allowing him to travel abroad to perform at international concerts.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas delivered the order on November 3, 2025, while allowing Crl.M.A. No. 5 of 2025 in Bail Application No. 9377 of 2025, filed by the accused seeking modification of condition (f) of the bail order passed on August 27, 2025. The original condition prohibited him from leaving India without the court’s permission.

Counsel for the applicant submitted that Vedan, a professional artist, had been invited to perform at concerts in Dubai, Qatar, France, and Germany in the coming months, and that the restriction would seriously affect his livelihood. The prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that there existed a possibility of the accused absconding and that he had not produced a detailed travel itinerary. The defacto complainant also objected, claiming that multiple cases had been registered against the accused.

Upon perusing the records, the Court noted that the investigation in Crime No. 531 of 2025 of Thrikkakara Police Station had been completed, the final report filed, and the case was now pending as C.P. No. 38 of 2025 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kakkanad. The Court observed that since the purpose of the travel restriction was to ensure availability during investigation, that condition had already “worked itself out.”

Justice Thomas observed, “The applicant is undoubtedly a professional singer. Pendency of a crime cannot be a restraint for the accused to pursue his profession or vocation.” The Court held that the bail condition restricting foreign travel was unnecessarily burdensome and could be modified to balance the interests of justice and professional freedom.

Accordingly, condition (f) was deleted and substituted with a direction that the applicant shall, one week before undertaking any travel abroad, intimate his travel details and itinerary to the Investigating Officer and file an affidavit containing his passport particulars and contact number abroad.

The modification was granted subject to compliance with the substituted condition.

Case Title: Hiran Das Murali v. State of Kerala & Ors.

[Read Order]