KAAPA proceedings initiated against Arjun Ayanki; police uncover details of his movements while on the run

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have begun proceedings to invoke the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) against Arjun Ayanki, who was arrested in a case related to threatening Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The district police chief is expected to submit his case history report to the district collector within this week. The collector will take the final decision after examining the report.

Meanwhile, police have obtained details of Arjun’s movements while he was on the run. Arjun reached Kannur on August 5 and travelled to various places by car with friends the following day. He stayed in hiding at places including Thottada, Mattannur and Chalaode with his friends Pranav and Kuttan, who work as solar installation workers. On the night of August 6, he reached a lodge in Taliparamba and stayed there. He was arrested while allegedly attempting to travel to Payyannur.

Arjun, who had repeatedly challenged the police and the Home Minister while in hiding, was arrested at around 2.30 am on Sunday after police surrounded an apartment belonging to a lawyer at Thalikavu in Kannur. The Thalassery Chief Judicial Magistrate Court remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.

Arjun had challenged Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala through a social media post, demanding a reinvestigation into a case in which he was jailed for 21 days by the Kothamangalam police for allegedly planning a crime at a resort. He also demanded action against the sub-inspector concerned if a reinvestigation was not ordered. He has been charged with allegedly defaming the Home Minister and making provocative statements that could disturb public peace.