Arjun Ayanki to be produced in court today as police seize laptop during house search

Kannur: Police searched the house of Arjun Ayanki in Kannur and seized a laptop as the arrested social media personality faces multiple cases over alleged threats and abusive posts targeting police officers and the Home Minister.

Police search Arjun Ayanki’s house, seize laptop

Kannur City Cyber Police conducted a search at Arjun Ayanki's house in Kappakadavu, Azheekode, as part of the investigation into cases registered against him over alleged social media threats and challenges.

The search, led by Inspector A. Anoop, lasted around an hour. Police seized a laptop from the house and recorded statements from Ayanki's mother and his brother, Ajay Ayanki.

The search comes after Arjun Ayanki was arrested in Kannur in the early hours of Sunday. He is currently in remand at Thalassery sub-jail.

Arjun Ayanki to be produced before Thalassery court

Arjun Ayanki is scheduled to be produced before the Thalassery court on Tuesday.

The Thalassery Chief Judicial Magistrate issued a production warrant after the Kannur City Cyber Police sought his production in connection with one of the cases.

Once he is produced, the investigation team is expected to seek five days of police custody for further questioning.

Police have already recorded his arrest in a case involving an alleged threat to the Kothamangalam police inspector. According to the report, the arrest in that case was formally recorded after police visited Ayanki at the Thalassery jail.

Multiple cases linked to social media posts

Several cases have been registered against Ayanki at different police stations over alleged challenges and abusive statements made through social media.

Police allege that he made the posts while remaining in hiding in connection with another criminal case.

The latest investigation is focused on gathering digital evidence, with the laptop seized during the house search potentially forming part of the evidence collection.

Brother Ajay Ayanki was arrested, later granted bail

Police also recorded the statement of Ayanki's brother Ajay during the house search.

Ajay Ayanki was arrested by Kozhikode's Nadakkavu Police on Saturday in connection with alleged crowdfunding to raise money for Arjun's legal expenses. He was subsequently released on bail.

The police are examining the circumstances surrounding the fundraising activity as part of the wider investigation.

Police plan to seek cancellation of bail

Ernakulam Rural District Police Chief K.S. Sudarshan said police would approach the court seeking cancellation of bail granted to Arjun Ayanki in one of three cases registered against him in Ernakulam.

According to the police, the request will be based on an alleged violation of bail conditions.

After recording Arjun's arrest in the relevant case, police are expected to approach the court seeking his custody for further investigation.

What happens next?

The immediate focus is on Arjun Ayanki's production before the Thalassery court and the police request for five days of custody.

Investigators are also examining material seized during the house search, including the laptop, while statements from family members have been recorded.

At the same time, Ernakulam Rural Police are preparing to seek cancellation of his bail in another case, citing an alleged violation of bail conditions.

The case now involves investigations across multiple police jurisdictions, with authorities pursuing both the alleged social media offences and related criminal cases. The seizure of a laptop could be significant if investigators identify digital material relevant to the allegations. The court's decision on police custody and the proposed bail-cancellation application will determine the next stage of the investigation.