Arjun Ayanki's friends held for allegedly sheltering him; arrested from Kochi flat

KOCHI: Police have taken into custody two friends of criminal case accused Arjun Ayanki for allegedly helping him evade arrest. The accused, identified as Ismail and Saud, were apprehended after an investigation revealed that Arjun had reportedly been staying at their flat in Kochi until two days ago.

Arjun Ayanki has continued to remain absconding while publicly challenging the Kerala Police and the state's Home Department. On Friday morning, he again issued a challenge through an Instagram post, daring the police to arrest him if they could.

Police suspect that someone else may be operating Arjun's social media accounts. His last known mobile phone location was traced to Kochi, prompting an investigation that led to the detention of his two associates. However, police sources indicate that they have still not been able to determine Arjun's current whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Arjun is also understood to have initiated legal efforts to secure anticipatory bail. Police are attempting to arrest him before any such relief is granted. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had on Thursday remarked that those who had challenged the police to arrest them would soon face the consequences.

Following those remarks, Arjun posted another message challenging Chennithala. In a Facebook post, he said:

"I challenge Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to order a reinvestigation into the case in which my friends and I were made accused and jailed. If I am found innocent, action should be taken against CI Prashanth for allegedly misusing his authority by registering a false case against me. If that happens, I will personally come and honour you with a shawl and even give you a kiss. Don't try to intimidate me. I belong to a different party."

Earlier, the High Court had dismissed Arjun Ayanki's anticipatory bail plea in the case related to allegedly threatening Kothamangalam Inspector Prashanth Kumar. While police were attempting to arrest him, he again issued threats through a voice message circulated on social media, reiterating his challenge to the police to arrest him if they could.