Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday, 8 August categorically stated that no shoot-at-sight order has been issued against fugitive criminal Arjun Ayanki, emphasising that all police action in the ongoing manhunt must strictly follow established legal procedures. The clarification came amid widespread speculation over whether officers had been authorised to use lethal force if Ayanki resisted arrest.

What the Home Minister Said

Addressing the speculation directly, Chennithala underscored the primacy of judicial oversight in police conduct. 'The acts of the police are subject to judicial scrutiny and hence whatever is done will be only according to the rule of law. The police have a protocol, and they will act only according to that,' he said. The minister's statement signals that authorities are pursuing a lawful, procedurally grounded approach despite the high-profile and prolonged nature of the chase.

The Manhunt So Far

Ayanki has remained at large despite an intensifying statewide search spanning several districts and inter-state border checkpoints. Investigators believe he may have already fled Kerala after being reportedly traced crossing the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Kochi. The probe has since widened to his inner circle. On Saturday, five of his aides were taken into custody in Thiruvananthapuram and are being questioned, primarily to determine whether they are responsible for the regular updates appearing on Ayanki's social media accounts while he remains underground. His brother and another associate are already in the custody of Ernakulam police.

Social Media Defiance and Criminal Record

Ayanki, who has 23 criminal cases registered against him at various police stations across Kerala, has continued to taunt law enforcement through social media posts even while in hiding. In his latest post, he claimed the system had made him what he is and declared he would not kneel even if shot below the knee. The post attracted a wave of supportive comments from multiple accounts, prompting investigators to examine whether an organised network is actively assisting him. Authorities are yet to establish whether Ayanki himself is managing the accounts or whether associates are posting on his behalf.

Legal Position and What Comes Next

Ayanki is primarily wanted in connection with an alleged threat to a police officer. After the Kerala High Court rejected his bail plea, he publicly challenged the police to arrest him, stating he would surrender only once bail was secured. His remaining legal recourse is to approach the Supreme Court for relief. Police have stepped up surveillance at border points and are closely examining his movements, associates, and digital footprint as the manhunt enters a broader, more intensive phase.