Kerala: DYFI leader held as ‘Kafir’ screenshot probe widens

Kozhikode, June 16 (IANS) The controversial ‘Kafir’ screenshot case, which triggered a major political storm during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Vadakara, took a fresh turn with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arresting DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar.

Jithin, a member of the DYFI Vadakara Block Committee, was arrested after being questioned by the SIT. Tuesday was the third time he was summoned by the investigation team, and his arrest was recorded after the latest round of questioning.

The SIT has been probing the origin and circulation of the controversial screenshot, with investigators focusing on the WhatsApp group ‘Vadakara Squad’, where the disputed content was allegedly first circulated. The group is now being examined as a possible source point of the screenshot.

The arrest comes days after DYFI Vadakara Block President Ribesh Ramakrishnan stepped down from his organisational post just before appearing before the SIT for questioning. Ribesh, however, continues as a member of the DYFI block committee.

The controversy erupted during the 2024 Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, when a fake social media post containing the word “Kafir”, widely considered a religious slur, was circulated, allegedly targeting Congress candidate Shafi Parambil.

The Vadakara election witnessed a high‑voltage battle between sitting legislator Shafi Parambil of the Congress and former Health Minister K.K. Shylaja of the CPI(M). Parambil’s victory came as a major setback for the Left.

The initial police probe under the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government was closed, citing a lack of evidence and stating that investigators could not trace the original source of the screenshot.

However, the case was revived after the V.D. Satheesan‑led UDF government assumed office, with a fresh SIT probe ordered. The investigation is now examining the role of administrators and members of online groups linked to the circulation of the post.

The SIT has expanded its focus beyond earlier inquiries and is looking into cyber groups, including the “Vadakara Squad”.

Congress MLA and Kozhikode DCC president Praveen Kumar said the latest developments showed that the truth was beginning to emerge as the law took its course. He claimed that the arrested person was only the tip of the iceberg, adding that more details and “big fish” were involved in what he described as a conspiracy.

The SIT is proceeding to identify the creator, the first distributor and the motive behind the controversial post.

–IANS

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