Kerala Rapper Vedan, 8 Others Arrested in Narcotics Case
The anti-drug team carried out the raid based on a tip-off that narcotic drugs were being used in the flat.
Thiruvananthapuram: Celebrated Malayalam rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, and eight others were arrested by police on Monday following a raid conducted at his rented apartment in Kaniampuzha in Kochi.
The rapper and others were booked after the police team seized 6 grams of ganja from the apartment. The accused have been charged under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The arrested persons are likely to be released on station bail after the completion of the required formalities.
The anti-drug team carried out the raid based on a tip-off that narcotic drugs were being used in the flat.
According to police, Vedan reached the flat with his friends after a programme last night. The arrested persons are members of Vedan's band, including artists and staff.
The songs of Vedan, who was born in a railway colony in Thrissur, mainly feature anti caste oppression themes and issues of the marginalised sections. His songs are hugely popular among the youth, with his stage shows running to packed houses.
Two days ago Vedan performed in Kochi and during the show he appealed to the youth to stay away from synthetic drugs. According to police, Vedan's house was under surveillance for some time.
Vedan landed in more trouble as the forest department has initiated a probe into a suspected tiger claw pendant he wears. The forest department is likely to register a separate case.
Meanwhile, Vedan's show has been dropped from the Kerala Government's fourth anniversary celebrations to be held in Idduki, following his arrest in the NDPS case.
Vedan's arrest comes a day after Excise officials recovered a hybrid gaja from a flat in Kochi, following which noted Malayalam directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, along with their friend Shalif Mohammad, were arrested by the excise department. A total of 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja were confiscated from them and the arrested persons were released on station bail.
The flat is rented by cinematographer Sameer Thahir .
The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors Union suspended both filmmakers from the organisation in the wake of the narcotic case.
