Malayalam Rapper Vedan Arrested On Drug Charges Tiger Tooth Pendant Sparks Wildlife Inquiry

Rapper Vedan, who shot to fame with the track Kuthanthram Thanthram from the hit film Manjummel Boys, was detained along with eight others in Kochi after cannabis was seized from a rented apartment.

Malayalam rapper Vedan, whose real name is Hirandas Murali, was taken into custody on Sunday night following a police raid at an apartment in Tripunithura, a suburb of Kochi. The raid resulted in the seizure of approximately 6 grams of cannabis, along with over ₹9 lakh in cash and several mobile phones.

The Hill Palace police acted on a tip-off regarding possible drug consumption at the property. Vedan and eight others, reportedly part of his music circle, were found at the location during the raid. All nine were subjected to medical examinations and later released on station bail.

The arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of drug use within Kerala’s entertainment industry. In recent days, other high-profile figures, including directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, were questioned for possession of hybrid cannabis. 

Tiger Tooth Pendant Sparks Wildlife Inquiry
In an unexpected twist, authorities also recovered a pendant resembling a tiger’s tooth from the rapper's gold chain. Initially claiming it had been bought in Thailand, Vedan later told officials it was a gift from a fan at a music event in Chennai in 2024.

The Forest Department has taken custody of the pendant for forensic analysis. If the tooth is confirmed to be genuine tiger ivory, Vedan could be prosecuted under the Wildlife Protection Act, which carries serious legal consequences, including non-bailable offenses.

Vedan’s Performance Canceled by Kerala Government Following Drug Arrest
Following the developments, the Kerala state government promptly removed Vedan from the lineup of performers scheduled to appear at the fourth-anniversary celebration of the LDF government in Idukki. The cancellation was announced by District Collector Sheeba George and Minister Roshy Augustine at a press briefing on Monday.

Vedan first gained significant attention in 2020 when his debut music video Voice of the Voiceless went viral, marking the start of his rise in the Malayalam music scene. However, his career hit a setback in 2021 when he was accused of misconduct by several women during the #MeToo movement, leading him to issue a public apology.

Despite the controversy, Vedan managed to rebuild his career, notably collaborating with composer Sushin Shyam on the chart-topping track Kuthanthram from the popular film Manjummel Boys. Ironically, just before his recent arrest, Vedan had delivered a speech to a live audience, cautioning young people about the perils of synthetic drugs, which he had described as a chekuthan (meaning "devil" in Malayalam).

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