Kolkata - Forensic tests have now definitively confirmed that the tooth pendant worn by rapper Vedan is indeed from a leopard. This confirmation, originating from the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata, is expected to lead to the filing of a prosecution report and a formal chargesheet against the artist. The findings have been submitted to the Perumbavoor Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, moving the case forward from its initial stages of uncertainty.
The investigation was prompted by Hill Palace police who alerted forest officials after noticing the pendant. Vedan, whose birth name is Hirandas Murali, was initially booked under the Wildlife Protection Act for alleged wildlife hunting and illegal possession of wildlife articles. While he was granted bail previously, that was contingent on the unconfirmed status of the tooth's authenticity.
Read More: WA Shuts 6 Shops Under New Tobacco Laws
Officials stated that the laboratory report confirming the genuine nature of the leopard tooth has been submitted to the court. They anticipate initiating further legal action shortly, including obtaining a copy of the report for their records.
The rapper has reportedly admitted that the tooth was procured from Thailand. Officials with the forest department indicated that the next steps will involve filing the final prosecution report and subsequently the chargesheet in the case.
The incident brings into focus the legal ramifications of possessing articles derived from protected wildlife. Vedan has faced a complex web of legal scrutiny, having also been arrested and booked for narcotics possession. He was taken into forest department custody for the leopard tooth pendant hours after being released on bail in a drug case. Reports suggest that the forest department had been observing Vedan due to past information regarding him. The initial discovery of the pendant occurred during a raid that also uncovered cannabis, involving Vedan and several others.
"Since the matter is subjudice, I cannot comment on it," stated a forest department official, underscoring the ongoing legal proceedings.
The sequence of events dates back to April 2025, when Vedan was initially taken into custody by the Forest Department for possessing the leopard canine tooth pendant. At that time, he had reportedly claimed ignorance about its origin, suggesting it was a gift from a fan. The case has seen the involvement of multiple departments, with Vedan facing charges from the police, the Excise Department, and the Forest Department. There was also a report concerning a transfer order for Ratheesh, the Kodanad Range Officer who arrested Vedan, which was later set aside by the Central Administrative Tribunal following a High Court directive.
Read More: Four Companies Set Record Dates for Share Buybacks in May
