The Kerala High Court has restrained police from arresting rapper Hirandas Murali, known by his stage name Vedan, after a young doctor accused him of sexual assault. The order will remain in effect until the court delivers its decision on his anticipatory bail plea, with arguments scheduled to continue on Wednesday.

In court, the complainant alleged that Vedan was a habitual offender with multiple complaints against him. The bench, however, ruled that only the present case would be considered and observed that media reports could not be treated as evidence. The complainant had been asked to submit supporting documents, but none were filed.

Vedan, meanwhile, told the court that the allegations were unfounded and that the charge of rape did not apply. He denied exploiting the complainant under the promise of marriage, though he acknowledged both a personal relationship and financial transactions with her. He assured full cooperation with the investigation.

According to the doctor’s complaint, the assaults took place at different locations between August 2021 and March 2023. She said she first met Vedan through Instagram and later accused him of raping her at a flat in Kozhikode. Police had earlier issued a lookout notice after he went into hiding.

Two other women also filed complaints of sexual harassment against Vedan this week, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the rapper.