Arjun Ayanki arrested in Kannur after days long police search
Arjun Ayanki, a prominent social media figure and former political activist, was arrested in Kannur after a multi-day police search. He faces charges related to criminal activities and threatening police officers online.
Why it matters
The arrest underscores the intersection of social media influence, political activism, and law enforcement in regional Indian politics.
Arjun Ayanki, a key accused in several criminal cases, was arrested by the police in Kannur after more than two days of intensive search. He was reportedly taken into custody on Sunday (August 9, 2026) from an apartment in Kannur city, where he had been staying in hiding.
The arrest was made by a police team led by the Northern Range Deputy Inspector General. Ayanki allegedly attempted to flee when the police reached the apartment and was apprehended at around 2.30 a.m. Another person believed to be his friend was also present at the apartment. He was arrested based on a tip off from an auto driver.
The police had intensified the search after Ayanki allegedly threatened police officers through social media following his release on bail. The Kerala High Court had rejected his anticipatory bail in the case.
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