Kerala police have invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Muhammed Sanoof, a 26-year-old native of Aikkarappadi in Malappuram district, who was arrested upon his return from Saudi Arabia for allegedly posting an offensive comment under a video featuring the daughter of a Pahalgam terror attack victim.
Arrest and detention at Karipur airport
Sanoof was detained on July 4 upon his arrival at Karipur airport, based on a lookout notice issued by police. The case was originally registered last year at Muttam police station in Kollam following a complaint by a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). The comment targeted N Ramachandran, a Kochi native who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
UAPA invoked after interrogation and mobile phone examination
Officials at the Muttam police station confirmed that the UAPA was invoked after Sanoof's interrogation and the examination of his mobile phone. Police stated they obtained crucial evidence during the preliminary investigation, which justified the application of the anti-terror law. Sanoof has been remanded to judicial custody, and police plan to seek his custody for detailed interrogation.
Investigation likely transferred to Crime Branch or ATS
Officials indicated that the investigation is likely to be handed over to the Crime Branch or the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for further probe. The case has drawn political reactions, with BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar commenting on social media. He questioned how a young Malayali could be brainwashed into celebrating the brutal murder of a fellow Keralite in the Pahalgam attack, calling the arrest a wake-up call.
Political reaction and broader implications
Chandrasekhar alleged that the incident was not isolated but resulted from years of appeasement, radicalisation, and political hypocrisy by the Congress and CPI(M). He asserted that Kerala's future lies in deeper integration with India's growth story and called for an end to dangerous politics, urging a shift toward performance-based politics.
