Controversial Kerala rapper Vedan was re-arrested, this time for possession of a tiger’s tooth inserted into a necklace. Forest officers ordered the arrest after finding what seemed to be a protected wildlife product during a pending investigation on his earlier charge of drug possession.
The hip-hop artist, already in trouble for marijuana possession, landed himself in further legal jeopardy when officials confiscated the necklace during a search of his property. Early forensic tests indicate the object might actually be tiger in origin, a species covered by India’s Wildlife Protection Act.
A court here has given a two-day custody of the tooth to forest officials for further questioning and gathering evidence. The investigators are now trying to establish the provenance of the tooth and if it was collected through poaching or wildlife trade, which is a crime in Indian law.
Vedan, a rapper celebrated for his raw lyrical style and underground following, is under growing legal pressure as his public image continues to disintegrate. His arrest has sparked debates about celebrity accountability and the utilization of wildlife products as fashion statements in India.
