CCTV visuals reportedly show history-sheeter Arjun Aayanki at an Edappal restaurant. Kerala Police arrested five people accused of helping him hide as multiple cases, including alleged social media threats and a fresh cyber case, are being investigated.
Malappuram: Kerala Police have intensified their search for history-sheeter Arjun AAayanki after receiving information that he had reached Edappal in Malappuram district. CCTV visuals released by police reportedly show Aayanki arriving at a restaurant in the area and having food.
Changaramkulam Police arrested five people in connection with the investigation. Four of them are accused of providing assistance to Aayanki and helping him stay in hiding at different locations, while the fifth person was arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers during an operation.
Also Read
The arrests were made during an inspection based on confidential information received by Tirur Deputy Superintendent of Police A.M. Siddiq.
Five arrested for allegedly helping Aayanki
The four people arrested for allegedly harbouring or assisting Aayanki were identified as:
- Faisal, 33, of Azhakathu Valappil
- Abubakkar Siddiq, 34, of Adhikarathu Valappil
- Naufal, 36, of Mundekkattil
- Ashkar, 36, of Palakka Valappil
- All four are natives of Vattamkulam.
Muhammad Rafi of Udinikkootil was also arrested after police alleged that he attempted to obstruct officers when they arrived to apprehend the suspects.
Police said their investigation indicates that the four alleged helpers assisted Aayanki in staying at different locations while he remained on the run.
The arrested individuals were subsequently released on bail. Police, however, have continued investigating establishments in Edappal where Aayanki may have stayed and are examining whether more people helped him evade arrest.
Police are also looking into the political and social backgrounds of the people allegedly involved in assisting him.
Fresh case over alleged social media post targeting Kerala CM
The search for Aayanki comes amid multiple cases being registered against him.
Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police registered a fresh case on Friday night over a Facebook post allegedly uploaded from an account named “Arjun Aayanki” on August 5.
According to the FIR, Aayanki allegedly published the post with the “intention and deliberate plan” to defame the Kerala Chief Minister in public, create enmity and provoke a riot.
Police alleged that the post compared former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy favourably with the incumbent Chief Minister and referred to the latter using derogatory terms. The police have alleged that the post was intended to influence the public and potentially provoke public disorder.
The case has been registered under Sections 296(b) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
The provisions invoked in the case relate to allegedly uttering obscene words in or near a public place, provocation with intent to cause a riot, and publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
Other cases and police action against Aayanki
The fresh cyber case is not the only case being pursued against Aayanki. He is also wanted in connection with a case involving alleged threats to police officers in Kothamangalam. According to police, the case followed a raid at a resort in Kothamangalam where Aayanki and a friend were taken into custody on suspicion of assembling for criminal activities.
After being released on bail, Aayanki allegedly posted threatening messages on social media targeting the Kothamangalam Station House Officer who had led the raid.
A case was registered based on the officer's complaint.
The Kerala High Court subsequently dismissed Aayanki's anticipatory bail plea. Police have alleged that Aayanki continued threatening police officers after the dismissal by sending voice messages through social media platforms. Kannur Cyber Police also registered a case against him on Friday over his alleged challenge to State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
Police also detained Aayanki's brother Akhil and two associates on Friday as part of efforts to trace him. On Saturday, five people described as close associates of Aayanki were taken into custody in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chennithala denies ‘shoot below knee’ order
The police operation has also triggered reports that officers had allegedly been instructed to shoot Aayanki below the knee.
Chennithala rejected those reports on Saturday while speaking to reporters in Palakkad. Asked whether any order had been issued to open fire against Aayanki following a massive human chain held on Friday evening, Chennithala said there was no such directive.
“No, nothing like that. I don't know about it,” he said. He said police would deal with Aayanki and other alleged offenders according to established procedures.
“That is not a big deal. Many people come and go here like rowdies. The police will take care of all that,” Chennithala said. Asked whether the matter was being formally monitored, the minister said police had established procedures for handling such cases and would follow them.
“We don't view this as a very serious matter. Someone comes out onto the road and insults people; the police have a procedure for that, and they will follow it,” he said.
Who is Arjun Aayanki?
Aayanki, a native of Azhikode in Kannur district, first came to wider public attention in connection with an alleged gold-smuggling network operating through Karipur airport in 2021.
His name has since featured in several criminal and police cases.
The latest police action centres on the Kothamangalam case, the alleged social media threats against police officers and the newer cyber case over the Facebook post targeting the Kerala Chief Minister.
Following the Kerala High Court's dismissal of his anticipatory bail plea, police have intensified efforts to locate him. Investigators now appear to be examining not only Aayanki's movements but also the network of people and establishments that may have helped him remain out of police custody.
The release of CCTV footage from Edappal and the arrests of five alleged associates indicate that investigators are widening the search beyond Aayanki himself.
Police have said their investigation into people who allegedly provided shelter or other assistance is continuing, while efforts to apprehend Aayanki remain underway.
Published: 08 Aug 2026, 03:21 pm IST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.