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Directs Customised Police Clearance Certificate for Rapper Vedan to Perform Abroad
The on Monday directed the , to issue a customised to Malayalam rapper Hiran Das Murali, known by his stage name Vedan. The certificate will allow him to travel to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for stage performances, despite pending criminal cases against him.
A Rapper's Legal Hurdles
Vedan, a 31-year-old stage performer from Thrissur, is accused in four criminal cases. He faces charges under the for alleged drug recovery from his apartment, a case for possessing a leopard tooth, and two cases of sexual harassment and rape. While some cases have concluded with or are under investigation, the High Court had previously granted him permission to travel abroad in two of the cases — Crime No. 531/2025 of and Crime No. 1170/2025 of .
Vedan applied for a Police Clearance Certificate on , but was not issued one. The Regional Passport Officer informed the court that an had been obtained due to his involvement in the criminal cases.
The Core Legal Question
The petitioner's counsel argued that the High Court had earlier directed the issuance of a PCC for travel to other countries, and sought a similar order. The Senior Panel Counsel for the Passport Officer submitted that only a could be issued, and that too only upon a court order.
Justice Murali Purushothaman, after hearing both sides, referred to the precedent in Siju v. Regional Passport Officer (2021 KHC 1002). The court in that case held that even if a criminal case is pending, a person is entitled to travel abroad with the before which the case is pending.
Key Observations by the Court
The court observed:
"This Court in has held that even if there is a criminal case pending, one is entitled to travel abroad with the before which the case is pending."
The judgment underscored that the does not automatically bar foreign travel, provided the has granted permission.
The Verdict and Conditional Relief
The High Court disposed of the with a clear direction to the Regional Passport Officer:
"Accordingly, this is disposed of directing the 1st respondent to issue a customized PCC to the petitioner, showing the details of the criminal cases pending against him and Exts.P3 and P4 orders. The needful shall be done within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment."
However, the court imposed a critical condition: Vedan must not leave the country without obtaining from the courts concerned in cases where no travel orders have been granted. This means that for the cases under the NDPS Act and the , he will need separate court approval before departing.
The ruling strikes a balance between an individual's right to pursue his profession abroad and the interests of justice in ongoing criminal proceedings. For Vedan, the opens the door to international performances, but only under the watchful eye of the courts handling his cases.
