Kozhikode: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the controversial 'Kafir screenshot' case, which sparked a major political row during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, arrested a DYFI worker for allegedly sharing the screenshot in a Left-leaning WhatsApp group. The SIT, led by district CB deputy SP T Manoharan, arrested Jithin Bhaskar, a member of DYFI's Vadakara block committee and CPM's Thuruthi local committee in Thiruvallur, on Tuesday.
First to Forward Screenshot
The SIT stated that Bhaskar was the first to forward the screenshot in the WhatsApp group named 'Vadakara Squad'. It also found that he had personally forwarded the screenshot to several individuals. Bhaskar is also an administrator of the 'Vadakara Squad' WhatsApp group. Police said the team will take him into custody for further questioning to identify the person who created the post.
Legal Provisions Invoked
Police booked Bhaskar under various IPC provisions, including charges related to promoting communal disharmony, attempting to incite unrest, and destruction of evidence.
Background of the Controversy
The screenshot reportedly portrayed LDF candidate Shailaja as a 'kafir' and UDF candidate Shafi Parambil as a pious person, sparking controversy during the poll campaign. The 'fabricated screenshot' was circulated in the name of MYL activist Mohammed Kasim ahead of the Vadakara Parliamentary election.
The investigation in the case, which was registered during the tenure of the previous LDF government, had stalled after police found that DYFI activist Ribesh Ramakrishnan forwarded the post in another WhatsApp group. The SIT questioned Ramakrishnan and several DYFI activists.
Investigators said all administrators of Left-leaning WhatsApp groups through which the screenshot was circulated were questioned. The screenshot was widely circulated during the election campaign, including by CPM leaders, before it was withdrawn after the controversy.
Political Reactions
Congress MLA K Praveenkumar said Bhaskar was only a small fry and the SIT probe would expose the role of CPM functionaries behind the attempt to create a communal divide during the poll campaign. The UDF government had formed an SIT to probe the case soon after it assumed office in May.
