Kannur: Criminal case accused Arjun Ayanki, who Kerala Police wanted after allegedly threatening a police officer through social media, has been taken into custody from a lawyer’s apartment in Kannur following an intensive search. Police say Ayanki faces more than 23 criminal cases, including allegations of attempted murder, theft, kidnapping and gold smuggling.
The latest police action followed social-media posts in which Ayanki allegedly targeted the Kothamangalam police inspector who had detained him and his associates at a resort while they were attending a friend’s wedding. Ayanki alleged that the officer had abused his authority, falsely implicated them in a case, and threatened to retaliate for the difficulties he allegedly caused. Police interpreted the posts as a serious threat to the officer, including an implied threat to his life and a warning that he would not be allowed to retire peacefully. In another post, Ayanki reportedly repeated the allegations of false implication and said he would approach Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala over the matter.
Police subsequently intensified efforts to trace Ayanki and sought the cancellation of his bail, alleging that the social media posts violated his bail conditions.
Ayanki was eventually traced to an apartment in Kannur after arriving around 2 am with a friend to meet his lawyer. They travelled in an autorickshaw, and the driver became suspicious and alerted the police. CCTV footage helped confirm Ayanki’s identity. When officers reached the apartment around 2.30 am, Ayanki allegedly tried to flee but was chased and caught.
Police had earlier seized the car allegedly used by him while absconding from Panangavu in Kannur. Ayanki was produced before the Koothuparamba magistrate and remanded for 14 days. He did not seek bail and was taken to Thalassery sub-jail.
Brother and associates under scrutiny
Police have also investigated people suspected of helping Ayanki remain in hiding. His younger brother, Ajay Ayanki, was arrested in Kozhikode for allegedly arranging crowdfunding through social media to meet Ayanki’s legal and living expenses after his bank accounts were frozen. Police also accused him of helping circulate posts challenging the authorities.
The supplied account says another brother, Arun Ayanki, prepared the QR code used for the crowdfunding campaign. This detail remains an allegation under investigation.
Several alleged associates of Ayanki were also detained in separate police operations as investigators widened the search for his support network.
Autorickshaw driver credited with breakthrough
The autorickshaw driver who alerted police after becoming suspicious of Ayanki’s presence was credited with providing a crucial lead. A private individual has reportedly offered the driver a ₹1 lakh reward, while authorities praised his action.
Police have taken possession of the phone found with Ayanki and are conducting a forensic examination to determine whether social media posts were published from the device. Ayanki reportedly told investigators that his friend Pranav had made the posts while he was on the run. Pranav had allegedly travelled with him from Ernakulam towards Kannur before separating at Taliparamba.
The investigation continues into Ayanki’s alleged threats, his movements while in hiding, the people who assisted him and the origin of the social-media posts.