‘Kafir screenshot’ line: SIT targets more suspects through new WhatsApp groups

A screenshot containing communal content was used against Vatakar MP Shafi Parambila during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the ‘Kafir’ screenshot case has expanded its investigation to two more WhatsApp groups after getting new leads while questioning the admins of the group called Vadakara Squad.

Investigators are now targeting the WhatsApp groups ‘Kadathanadu Sakhakka’l’ and ‘Bavuppara Sakhakkal’ with the hope of targeting more suspects. Sources said that the details of the two new groups emerged during the interrogation of the admins of the Vadakara Squad group.

The development follows statements reportedly given by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan and other witnesses, including Manish and Amal, before the investigation team. They reportedly told investigators that the controversial screenshot was received by the Vadakara Squad WhatsApp group.

Jithin Bhaskar, member of DYFI Vadakara Block Committee and admin of Vadakara group, was earlier questioned by the SIT. Investigators are said to have gathered information on the newly identified groups during subsequent investigations. Police are currently awaiting forensic expert reports as part of their efforts to determine the source and circulation of the controversial screen capture.

A screenshot containing communal content surfaced during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the Vadakara Assembly constituency. It was allegedly circulated against United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Shafi Parambila. Muslim Youth League activist Mohammed Kasim was initially named as an accused in the case.

Subsequently, a fresh investigation was conducted after the Kerala High Court intervened in the case. Police later concluded that Mr Ramakrishnan was the first known person to share the screenshot. The police had earlier presented the report to the court saying that they were having difficulty tracing the source from which he received it. The probe was reopened after the state government formed an SIT to launch a fresh probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, the DYFI leadership recently came up with a protest against the SIT, which alleged that the investigation was being used to arrest its activists. In a recent press conference, DYFI District Secretary LG Lijeesh alleged that members of the Vadakara social media group were repeatedly summoned for grilling and subjected to intimidation in the name of investigation.

The DYFI chief also complained that a section of the media was being given false information as a statement by those conducting the interrogation. He said there would be stronger protests in the coming days as the police acted under pressure from the UDF and the Indian Youth Congress to target left-wing activists.

Meanwhile, police officers connected to the investigation said they were least bothered by any allegations or attempts to divert the investigation with misleading statements. Forensic reports would be enough to probe the substance of the final investigation report on the cards, they said.

Published – 15 Jun 2026 18:33 IST