Thiruvananthapuram, August 8: Kerala’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala clarified on Saturday that no ‘shoot-at-sight’ order has been issued against the fugitive criminal Arjun Ayanki. He emphasized that the police will act strictly within the law while attempting to apprehend him.
In response to speculation about whether the police were authorized to shoot Ayanki if he resisted arrest, Chennithala stated that all police actions fall under judicial scrutiny and must adhere to established legal procedures.
“The police action is subject to judicial review, so everything done will be in accordance with the rule of law. The police have a protocol, and they will operate accordingly,” he said.
This clarification comes as police intensify their search for Ayanki across the state. Despite extensive searches in several districts and along interstate borders, he remains elusive.
Investigators believe he may have left Kerala after being spotted passing through the Pallikkara toll plaza in Kochi. The investigation has now expanded to include Ayanki’s close associates.
On Saturday, five of his accomplices were detained in Thiruvananthapuram for questioning to determine if the frequent updates on his social media accounts during his time in hiding were due to their actions.
Authorities have yet to ascertain whether Ayanki is managing these accounts himself or if someone else is posting on his behalf. His brother and another associate are already in police custody in Ernakulam, increasing pressure on the fugitive to reveal his location.
Ayanki, who has 23 criminal cases registered against him at various police stations in Kerala, has continued to mock the police through social media while remaining in hiding.
In a recent post, he claimed that the system has made him what he is and stated that even if shot below the knee, he would not bow down.
This post drew numerous supportive comments from various social media handles, prompting investigators to explore whether an organized network is assisting him during his fugitive status.
Ayanki is wanted for threatening a police officer. After his bail plea was rejected by the High Court, he challenged the police, stating that they could arrest him if they wished, but he would only surrender after securing bail. He now has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court for bail.
The police have increased surveillance at border points and are entering a significant phase in their search for the fugitive, examining his activities, associates, and digital footprint.
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