Overview

• The Kerala High Court allowed the doctor who first accused Vedan to be impleaded in his anticipatory bail plea, after her counsel urged that he be treated as a habitual offender, and the bench sought documents ahead of Tuesday’s hearing.
• Two new complainants — a research scholar and an arts student — emailed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleging sexual abuse in 2020–2021, saying they avoided police after an earlier complainant’s details were leaked, and they requested a meeting.
• The research scholar alleges he tried to assault her and forcefully kissed her during a December 20, 2020 meeting, while the arts student says he later sexually assaulted her repeatedly, threatened her if she refused, and spread rumours that harmed her studies.
• Kochi City police issued a lookout circular last week as Vedan has been on the run for more than two weeks, and Thrikkakara police earlier registered a case on the doctor’s complaint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 69 for sex on a false promise of marriage.
• In his petition, Vedan disputes the rape allegation, claiming a consensual relationship with the doctor from 2021 to 2023 and saying the complaint followed personal differences.