3 weeks ago
Former political worker who threatened Kerala police arrested in Kannur
Arjun Ayanki is a 29-year-old man from Kerala, India.
He used to work for a political party and became very popular online, with more than a hundred thousand followers.
But police say he was also doing bad things.
They say he threatened police officers and wrote mean messages about important leaders on social media.
He was arrested with some friends earlier this year, then let out on bail.
After that, he kept posting threats online against the officer who arrested him.
Police searched for him for days and finally caught him in his hometown, Kannur.
Now he is in jail, and police want to question him.
Police leaders say no one is above the law.
Arjun Ayanki, a 29-year-old former CPI (M) worker with 1.29 lakh Instagram followers, was arrested from Kannur in the early hours of Sunday.
Police say Ayanki has 20 cases registered against him, with the immediate reason for his arrest being threats to officers probing his alleged criminal activities.
He was remanded in judicial custody, and Ernakulam rural police will seek his custody on Monday in the latest case of threatening an inspector.
After being released on bail in June, Ayanki threatened the inspector who arrested him in May, prompting police to move court to cancel his bail.
His criminal record includes gold smuggling from the Middle East, a robbery of a gold trader in Palakkad, and a 2022 KAAPA recommendation that was later cancelled.
- Who
- Arjun Ayanki, a 29-year-old former CPI (M) worker and social media figure with 1.29 lakh Instagram followers
- What
- Arrested and remanded in judicial custody over repeated social media threats to police officers and defamatory posts; police say 20 cases are registered against him
- Where
- Kannur, Kerala, where he had gone to consult his lawyer; he was earlier arrested at a resort in Ernakulam
- When
- Arrested in the early hours of Sunday, after his last threatening post on August 6
- Why
- He allegedly threatened police officers who probed his recent alleged criminal activities and targeted the CM and home minister on social media
Key facts
- Name
- Arjun Ayanki
- Age
- 29
- Instagram followers
- 1.29 lakh
- Registered cases
- 20
- Arrest location
- Kannur, Kerala
- Previous role
- CPI (M) worker and DYFI local leader at Azhikode
- Last threatening post
- August 6
- Custody status
- Remanded in judicial custody; police custody sought in latest case
Quotes
Ramesh Chennithala
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala government
“Challenging the police is tantamount to challenging society. The police are meant to serve society and are an integral part of it. Hence, such challenges to the police have to be seen as challenges to society itself. There should not be any more Arjun Ayankis.”
indianexpress.com
“Kerala is not a land of gangsters but of peace-loving people and asserted that no one was above the law.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Arjun Ayanki challenges Kerala home minister as police launch manhunt
CPI(M) leader booked for allegedly threatening police during protest
Kerala denies shoot-at-sight order for fugitive Arjun Ayanki
CPI(M) to Complain Against Police Over Late-Night Searches for Ayanki
UP labourer held in Kalaburagi over anti-national social media links
CPI(M) Alleges Bishop, Wife Assaulted Over Conversion Charges
Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail to CPM Leader
SFI Secretariat March Turns Tense Over University Police Action
Congress Backs Rahul Gandhi Over Vijay for 2029 PM
Satheesan Targets CPI(M) Amid Kerala Election Defeat Fallout
