Hirandas Murali alias 'Vedan'.
Credit: Instagram/@vedanwithword
Kochi: Hours after popular Malayalam rapper and songwriter Vedan was arrested and released on bail in a drug case, he landed in trouble for possessing leopard's tooth.
The Forest Department registered a case against him and arrested him for possessing the leopard tooth, which is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Vedan reportedly told the forest authorities that the leopard tooth that he used to wear as a locket was gifted to him by a Sri Lankan fan identified as Renjith Kumbidi. He also maintained that he did not know whether it was real or fake and that he was unaware of the legal consequences in possessing real leopard tooth.
Vedan was taken into custody on Monday along with his troupe member with six grams of ganja from his flat in Kochi. He told reporters on Tuesday that he did not use narcotic substances.
Vedan, who is one of the most sought after Malayalam rapper, used to campaign against drug menace as part of his shows.