Arjun Ayanki Case: Phone Used for Threats Found in Shoe Rack
Kannur: The Cyber police investigating the case against Arjun Ayanki have seized a mobile phone allegedly used to upload threatening and abusive posts on social media. A laptop was also recovered during a search of his house at Kappakadavu, Azhikode.
Ayanki, a resident of Kappakadavu, was arrested after the Cyber police registered cases against him for allegedly making threatening and abusive posts on social media. The targets of these posts included senior police officers and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The posts were brought to the attention of the police, leading to a formal investigation.
The phone was reportedly found concealed in a shoe rack near the apartment where Ayanki was arrested. The recovery assumes significance as Ayanki allegedly told investigators that he himself had posted the messages on social media. The police believe the device could help corroborate his statement and provide vital digital evidence.
During questioning, Ayanki reportedly told the police that he used Wi-Fi networks at different locations to upload the posts. He allegedly said he used public Wi-Fi while travelling from Ernakulam to Kannur to publish some of the messages. The police are examining the devices and digital evidence as part of the investigation.
In cases involving offensive social media posts, investigators often rely on device identifiers, internet logs, and account activity to establish the origin of the content. The examination of digital devices typically involves checking the device's IMEI number, the SIM card used, and the account history of the social media profiles. Internet service providers may also be asked to provide connection logs for the Wi-Fi networks mentioned by the accused.
The Cyber police had earlier found another phone when Ayanki was arrested, but subsequent investigation reportedly established that the social media posts were not uploaded from that device. This led the police to search for additional devices that may have been used.
Kannur City Cyber police searched Ayanki’s house at Kappakadavu in connection with the cases. The search, led by Inspector A. Anoop, lasted about an hour. During the search, the laptop was also seized.
The police also recorded statements from Ayanki’s mother and his brother, Ajay Ayanki, as part of the investigation. Family members are often questioned to understand the accused's activities and to gather any information that may be relevant to the case.
Ayanki, who is in judicial custody at Thalassery sub-jail, was recently produced before the Thalassery Judicial Magistrate and remanded in police custody for three days for detailed interrogation. The remand period is intended to allow the police to conduct a detailed interrogation and to gather evidence from crime scenes or locations where the accused was reported to have been hiding. The police are also expected to take him to locations in Kannur where he allegedly stayed while evading arrest, to conduct evidence collection.
The accused is facing allegations of using social media to spread messages that were considered threatening and abusive. The investigation is examining not only the content of the posts but also the methods used to upload them, including the possibility that multiple devices and Wi-Fi networks were employed to avoid detection.
Police sources said that Ayanki was not fully cooperating with the interrogation. The seized devices will be subjected to forensic analysis to determine their role in the case. The investigation is ongoing.
