Kozhikode ,August 9
Police have arrested Ajay Ayanki, 24, for allegedly helping his brother and history-sheeter Arjun Ayanki evade arrest and arranging financial support for him while he was on the run.
Ajay, a resident of Azhikode in Kannur district, was taken into custody from outside an online delivery firm at East Nadakkavu in Kozhikode around 12.30 am on Sunday. His arrest was subsequently recorded by the Nadakkavu police.
Arjun was arrested separately in Kannur in the early hours of Sunday after an extensive police operation to trace him.
Investigators allege that Ajay helped raise money for Arjun through a crowdfunding campaign on social media while the latter was absconding. A QR code was circulated online seeking contributions, with the collected money allegedly being transferred to an account linked to Arjun.
Police said the QR code used for collecting the funds had been prepared by another brother, Arun Ayanki.
According to the FIR, Ajay was taken into custody as a preventive measure for allegedly assisting Arjun during the period he remained underground. Police also alleged that such activities amounted to openly challenging law enforcement and could send a wrong message to the public.
The arrest comes after police detained four people from Edappal in Malappuram district on Saturday for allegedly meeting and accompanying Arjun while he was evading arrest.
The police investigation gained momentum after CCTV footage surfaced showing Arjun at a cafe inside a private Ayurveda hospital in Edappal. He was seen with four people from Vattamkulam and reportedly remained at the cafe for nearly an hour.
The four were subsequently taken into custody and questioned. They reportedly told investigators that they had accompanied Arjun to Edappal and had food with him at the cafe.
According to their statements to police, Arjun later left Edappal and headed towards Kannur, where he was eventually traced and arrested.
