Kochi: Kerala Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to trace and arrest history-sheeter Arjun Ayanki, who is currently absconding. The investigation is being led by the Muvattupuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP).

A native of Kannur, Ayanki had reportedly been operating from Kochi for the past few months. Police teams are carrying out an extensive search across Kochi and neighbouring districts to locate him.

The search has been intensified after investigators found that Ayanki's mobile phone last pinged a tower in Kochi a few days ago. Police have also widened the probe to question his friends and other associates.

The renewed action follows a Facebook post in which Ayanki openly challenged both the Kerala Police and the Home Department. In the post, he questioned Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, asking whether he had the courage to order a fresh investigation into the case in which Ayanki and his associates were jailed, claiming that the charges against him were fabricated.

ALSO READ | Threats, taunts and kiss offer: Elusive history-sheeter challenges Kerala police, Home Minister

Ayanki also demanded strict action against Kothamangalam Circle Inspector Prashanth, alleging that the officer had abused his authority during the investigation. He said disciplinary action should be taken if a reinvestigation proved his innocence.

In the same post, Ayanki claimed that if a fresh investigation cleared his name, he would personally meet the Home Minister, present him with a golden shawl and kiss him as a symbolic gesture.

He also wrote that attempts to intimidate him would not succeed, adding that he had "grown up in a different party", in an apparent reference to his political background.