{
  "id": 377790,
  "title": "Midnight police search for Arjun Ayanki triggers political row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/midnight-police-search-for-arjun-ayanki-triggers-political-row",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T13:18:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/midnight-police-search-for-arjun-ayanki-triggers-political-row/article71324668.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Midnight police raid for fugitive Arjun Ayanki has sparked a political uproar in Kattamala, near Mallappally. The CPI(M) accuses the police of entering homes without authorization, even after the fugitive had been located in Kannur. Local residents reported a large police force arriving around 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, searching Nithin Kumar's residence, where he is secretary of the Mallappally East local committee of the CPI(M), and Rahul's home, who is the area president of the SFI. The police claim they acted on an informant's tip-off, but residents and the CPI(M) allege the search was politically motivated, stemming from disagreements over social media posts targeting the UDF leadership. The police deny these claims, stating that Arjun was traced to Kannur by Friday evening and they continued the search despite having his location.",
  "summary": "CPI(M) accused the police of raiding homes without permission even after they had traced the accused to Kannur",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Who is Arjun Ayanki? Kerala man who taunted police on social media is caught",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/who-is-arjun-ayanki-kerala-man-who-taunted-police-on-social-media-is",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:46:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}