Political backing, threats and police challenge: Six-day hunt for Arjun Ayanki

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KANNUR: Arjun Ayanki allegedly had the confidence to challenge the police and even the Home Minister with the backing of a large section of party workers, despite being distanced by CPI(M) leaders. Ayanki and his associates were arrested by the Kothamangalam police based on information that they were planning a crime at a resort in Kothamangalam. The first alleged threat was directed at the police officer who led the action through a Facebook post. The post reportedly threatened that the officer would not be allowed to spend the rest of his life peacefully after retirement. A case was registered over the threat, following which Ayanki allegedly issued another threat against the Oonnukal Inspector.

While a large section of supporters allegedly extended covert assistance to Ayanki, his actions posed a serious challenge to the police. It was difficult for investigators to trace him as he kept changing his hideouts at regular intervals.

Questions were also raised in political circles over what strategy the police would adopt to apprehend Ayanki. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and former CPI(M) Kannur district secretary and state secretariat member M.V. Jayarajan had distanced themselves from Ayanki, while the silence of several other prominent CPI(M) leaders was also noted.

After six days of uncertainty, Ayanki was finally arrested. His arrest was seen as an indication that the police and the Home Minister had taken a firm stand against him.

Earlier, the Oonnukal police had attempted to arrest Ayanki in a case involving the alleged defamation of the then Kothamangalam police station house officer and his family through social media. According to the remand report, Ayanki also allegedly threatened the Oonnukal Inspector through Instagram after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the case.

Arjun Ayanki accused in 20 cases

Ayanki is an accused in a total of 20 cases registered at Karipur, Thrissur Railway, Meenakshipuram, Kothamangalam, Oonnukal, Valapattanam, Kannur Town, Kottayam Railway and Ernakulam Rural Cyber Crime police stations.

The cases involve charges related to theft, conspiracy, obstructing government employees from discharging their duties, incitement to riot and criminal intimidation, among other offences.

Police seek denial of bail

The police have opposed granting bail to Ayanki, citing several reasons:

1. The accused has allegedly threatened the Chief Minister, the Home Department Minister and police officers repeatedly, raising the possibility that he may disregard the legal system and repeat similar offences.

2. He has a history of absconding without cooperating with the investigation.
3. There is a possibility that he may destroy evidence or influence witnesses.
4. His actions could potentially encourage others to commit similar offences.
5. The police need to examine in detail the phone allegedly used to make posts against the Home Department Minister and therefore require his custody for further investigation.