Did Rapper Vedan Secure Bail in Tiger Tooth Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vedan is a rapper facing legal issues regarding a tiger’s tooth.
- He was arrested after a raid by State Excise and Forest Department officials.
- Vedan claims ignorance of the law regarding wildlife possessions.
- His recent music release is gaining traction despite his legal troubles.
- The case highlights the intersection of celebrity culture and wildlife law in India.
Kochi, April 30 (NationPress) Rapper Vedan, known offstage as Hirandas Murali, was granted bail on Wednesday by a local court in Perumbavoor, Kerala, concerning a case linked to the possession of a tiger’s tooth.
The 28-year-old musician found himself in legal trouble earlier this week when he was apprehended by the State Excise Department at his rented residence in Kochi, following a tip-off.
During the operation, law enforcement officials confiscated 6 grams of ganja, which Vedan admitted to using. He was subsequently granted bail the same day by the police.
However, the situation escalated when Forest Department officials, who joined the raid, uncovered a large tooth fashioned into a necklace that belonged to the rapper. An initial examination verified it as a tiger’s tooth, which is a protected wildlife part under the Wildlife Protection Act.
This revelation led to Vedan's arrest by Forest officials on Monday night. He was presented in front of the Perumbavoor court on Tuesday and was remanded to two days’ custody for investigative purposes.
In court, Vedan stated that the tooth was a gift from a Sri Lankan national, Renjith Kumbidi, whom he connected with via Instagram. He claimed ignorance of the tooth's legal status and expressed willingness to assist the Forest Department in locating the individual who provided it.
The Forest Department opposed Vedan’s bail application. The court dismissed his claims of ignorance regarding the law, stating that being uninformed is not a valid defense. Nonetheless, the court acknowledged Vedan's commitment to cooperate and granted him bail on Wednesday.
Interestingly, as Vedan’s bail application was processed, news broke that his latest love rap song had achieved significant popularity online and was well-received by his fans.