Kerala rapper Vedan arrested after ganja seized from flat
The police on Monday (April 28, 2025) arrested Kerala rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) after recovering nearly six grams of ganja from his apartment near Vyttila in Kochi.
The narcotic substance was recovered by the personnel from the Hill Palace police station following a tip-off. It is learnt that he had reached the apartment along with eight friends after a stage programme on Sunday night (April 27, 2025). The police were questioning the rapper and the others at the time of filing of this report.
“He will be booked as per the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after the interrogation is completed,” they said. Because he only had a small amount of property, he could be released on station bail. The police said further details related to the ganja seizure will be revealed soon.
KOCHI: Sending a strong signal on its zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse, excise officials on Monday detained rapper Vedan — Hiran Das Murali in real — after seizing cannabis from his flat in Tripunithura. The raid came just a day after filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza were detained for possessing hybrid cannabis.
In the meantime, after the district's seizure of three kilograms of hybrid ganja, excise officers in Alappuzha questioned actors Sreenath Bhasi and Shine Tom Chacko for nearly ten hours. Soumya, a model from Palakkad, also showed up at the excise deputy commissioner's office to be questioned.
Officers insisted that the crackdown on celebrities is based on solid information, playing down the series of raids.
“Numerous complaints have been received regarding persons associated with the film industry. However, we only act on information that has been independently verified and proven to be accurate. All anti-drugs operations aim to send a clear message that anyone involved in narcotics will be apprehended without hesitation,” Assistant Excise Commissioner M F Suresh told TNIE.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya said no special drive is being carried out targeting celebrities, but admitted that the impact is amplified when action involves high-profile individuals.
"Yes, it conveys that drug users will not be spared," But there is no exclusive operation aimed at the film industry. We are gathering intelligence on regular users and will thoroughly investigate and file charges accordingly,” Vimaladitya said.
Meanwhile, an excise officer in the rank of joint commissioner said that enforcement has been intensified following a rise in drug-related crimes.
“The excise special squad is closely monitoring individuals suspected of selling and consuming drugs,” he said.
Shreekumar Menon, retired IRS officer and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) consultant, warned of wider social implications.
“Drugs have seeped into every sector, including the film industry. People often turn to drugs to relieve stress, but addiction quickly follows,” he said.
He expressed concern that fans could be influenced by celebrities’ actions.
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“Some of these celebrities had long been under suspicion,” Shreekumar added.
Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner Baby P V said clear directions from higher authorities have enabled swift action.
1 “Whenever we receive credible intelligence, we conduct raids and move quickly on legal procedures,” he said.
The film industry measured how people reacted.
"In contrast to the past, the police and excise departments are acting seriously against those involved. However, it is essential to identify and punish the supply source,” stated Kerala Film Chamber general secretary Saji Nanthyatt.
The Chamber’s internal complaints committee had been instructed to step up monitoring on film sets, he added.
Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) secretary B Rakesh voiced support for the crackdown.
"We are unable to assert that the film industry is being targeted. Small quantities are being seized from flats and hotel rooms. Stopping the supply chain is more important. If drugs are unavailable, usage will automatically drop,” he said.
Rakesh mentioned that KFPA had never supported the use of drugs in shooting locations. (With Anna Jose's assistance)
