‘Kafir screenshot’ case: Vadakar court grants two-day police custody to DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran

A First Class Judicial Court in Vadakara on Thursday granted two days of police custody to DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran, who was recently arrested and remanded in connection with the investigation into the controversial ‘kafir screenshot’ case. The court allowed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to question the accused till 5 pm on June 20. His bail application was rejected.

The prosecution argued that the custodial interrogation was necessary to establish whether Mr Bhaskaran had used a computer or other digital device to create the screenshot at issue and to obtain electronic evidence relevant to the investigation. The prosecutor also argued that the detention was necessary to determine whether any other persons were involved in the alleged crime and to examine the possibility of a wider conspiracy behind the creation and dissemination of the report.

Mr. Bhaskaran, a member of the DYFI Vadakara block committee and the administrator of the ‘Vadakara Squad’ WhatsApp group, was arrested last Tuesday after the SIT was summoned for fresh questioning.

Investigators believe the screenshot was circulated among more than 200 people through the group. His cell phone has already been sent for forensic examination.

According to sources in the investigation, digital and forensic tools are being used to trace the origin of the screenshot and determine its chain of circulation. The SIT has questioned several WhatsApp group administrators as part of its investigation and is probing whether the message was sent through a coordinated network.

The prosecution said in court that further questioning is needed to identify the source of the screenshot, verify the equipment used to create it and determine whether anyone else was involved in its preparation or circulation.

The controversial screenshot surfaced during the 2024 election campaign in Vadakara. The screenshot sparked complaints of an alleged attempt to influence voters through communal messages. The SIT continued its investigation to track down all those responsible for creating and spreading this message.

Published – 18 Jun 2026 16:05 IST