Kochi: History-sheeter Arjun Ayanki has been granted bail in the case registered over alleged criminal intimidation and threats against the Kothamangalam Station House Officer (SHO). However, the relief will not result in his release, as he is yet to get bail in two other cases besides remaining under preventive detention invoked against him under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA).

The Kothamangalam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Monday granted bail to Ayanki in the intimidation case. He will continue to remain at the Thalassery Special Sub-Jail in view of the KAAPA detention order.

The case against Ayanki emerged after an earlier police action at a resort near Kothamangalam. The Ernakulam Rural Police had conducted a pre-dawn raid at the resort and taken Ayanki and several associates into custody in connection with allegations including unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy.

After being released on bail in that case, Ayanki allegedly took to social media to launch threats and derogatory attacks against the Kothamangalam and Oonnukal police inspectors. He reportedly alleged that the police action at the resort had been fabricated.

Fresh cases were subsequently registered over the alleged criminal intimidation. Ayanki then went absconding, while continuing to challenge the police through social media posts, prompting Kerala Police to launch a statewide search.

Special squads led by the Northern Range DIG were formed to track him down. Police eventually located Ayanki at a hideout apartment in Kannur and took him into custody. After completing custodial interrogation and recovery procedures, he was remanded back to the Thalassery Sub-Jail.

Police oppose bail
The prosecution strongly opposed Ayanki’s bail plea, arguing that he was a habitual offender with an extensive criminal record and that his release could pose a threat to public order.

The Kothamangalam SHO told the court that the police had opposed the bail application citing the possibility of repeat offences and a breach of peace.

“We strongly opposed the bail petition on the grounds that he is a habitual offender with an extensive record of cases, including gold smuggling, political violence, and social media intimidation. We submitted before the court that releasing him on bail poses a significant risk of repeat offences and breach of peace,” said police sources.

The police also pointed out that Ayanki is facing three separate cases within the Kothamangalam police jurisdiction.

These include the case relating to unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy arising from the resort raid, the case registered over criminal intimidation and threats allegedly issued against the Kothamangalam SHO, and a separate intimidation case involving alleged threats against the Oonnukal SHO.

KAAPA keeps Ayanki behind bars
Ayanki has now secured bail in the Kothamangalam intimidation case. Even if he gets bail in two other cases registered in Kothamangalam too and a case registered by Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police for insulting Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, the KAAPA detention order prevents his release from jail.

The preventive detention proceedings followed a recommendation from the Kannur City Police Commissioner, which highlighted Ayanki's alleged involvement in numerous criminal cases over the past several years, including gold smuggling rackets, robbery and cyber intimidation.

Kannur District Collector P Vishnuraj subsequently approved the preventive detention order under KAAPA. Under the provisions of the Act, Ayanki can be kept in preventive detention for up to one year.

He has also secured bail in cyber-related cases registered in Kannur. However, he continues to face cases registered by the Ernakulam Rural and Munnar police. More importantly, his release remains barred by the statutory KAAPA detention order.