Kochi: Kerala’s underground rap sensation Vedan has been granted conditional bail after his arrest in a case involving a pendant allegedly made from a leopard’s tooth, which surfaced after a viral social media post caught the attention of forest authorities.
Vedan, known for his socially conscious lyrics and raw street style, told the court that he had no idea the pendant contained a protected animal part, and said it was gifted by a fan during a live show. He emphasized that there was no malicious intent behind wearing it.
Taking note of his statement and the absence of evidence suggesting deliberate wrongdoing, the court granted him bail while allowing forest officials to continue their investigation to determine the pendant’s origin.
Under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, possession of any body part of a protected species — including leopards — is a serious offence unless authorized. The case has sparked public interest around wildlife laws and celebrity accountability on social media.
