Ranjith was arrested last night, they said, adding that he was being questioned to ascertain whether he had any links with a Chennai-based group which is believed to have arranged for the expedition that turned tragic.

Police are probing, among others, how the trekkers came into contact with Ranjith, a local.

The 36-member team - 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tirupur and Erode districts - had embarked on the trekking expedition and reached Kurangani hills on March 10.

The team included 25 women and three children.