Rapper Vedan, born Hirandas Murali, was taken into custody by excise officials after approximately 5 grams of cannabis were seized from his flat in Thrippunithura, Kochi.
Vedan and 8 others were apprehended early Monday morning during a raid by the Kochi City District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF), which acted on a confidential tip-off.
DANSAF Operation Yields Cannabis Seizure
According to a DANSAF officer, “Acting on the tip-off, we arrived at the flat around 10 am and recovered the ganja during the search.”
The team had tracked the group back to Vedan’s residence after the rapper and his companions returned from a programme. In total, around five grams of cannabis were found, and everyone present was detained for questioning. Standard procedure under Kerala’s Excise Act requires immediate custody of individuals found in possession of narcotics, pending further investigation.
Career Highlight
Vedan first rose to prominence in the Malayalam film industry with his track Kuthanthram Thanthram (Viyarppu Thunniyitta Kuppaayam) for the popular movie Manjummel Boys. The song’s catchy beats and Vedan’s distinctive rap style earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. News of his arrest has since sent ripples through Kerala’s music scene, where he was viewed as one of the more innovative voices in recent years.
Government Celebrations Impacted
In response to Vedan’s detention, the Kerala state government has cancelled a performance he was scheduled to give in the Idukki district. The show was part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s fourth-anniversary celebrations. Organisers cited the need to “maintain the integrity of the event” and avoid public controversy, though no formal statement has been released regarding potential rescheduling or replacement acts.
Filmmakers Khalid Rahman & Ashraf Hamza
This incident follows closely on the heels of another high-profile narcotics case in Kochi. Over the weekend, filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza were detained after authorities found 1.6 grams of hybrid cannabis in their possession at a flat owned by cinematographer Sameer Thahir. The duo was questioned by the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Bureau, though they were released shortly afterward. Their brief custody highlighted the growing vigilance of law enforcement agencies toward drug use within Kerala’s creative community.
Kerala’s Ongoing Narcotics Enforcement
Kerala has seen an uptick in anti-narcotics operations over the past year, with DANSAF leading targeted raids on both commercial and residential locations. While celebrities and public figures often draw media attention, the state government insists its missions are driven by broader public health and safety objectives. Under the Kerala Excise Act, possession of small quantities of cannabis can lead to fines, rehabilitation measures, or imprisonment, depending on judicial outcomes.
As investigations continue into both Vedan’s case and the filmmakers’ matter, the music and film industries in Kerala are bracing for further scrutiny. Authorities have pledged to “follow every lead” to curb substance abuse, regardless of an individual’s public stature.
