‘Kafir screenshot’ case: order on SIT plea to cancel accused’s bail today

The First Class Magistrate Court Vadakara is expected to give its verdict on Friday on the petition seeking cancellation of bail granted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Jithin Bhaskar in the alleged ‘blasphemous screenshot’ case.

The prosecution argued that the defendant, after being released on bail, violated his bail conditions by posting messages on Facebook in which he allegedly challenged the investigation team and tried to create public unrest. He also held him responsible for interfering with the course of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Kozhikode sessions court is also expected to pronounce its verdict on Friday on the bail plea filed by another DYFI leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan in connection with the case.

The case, which sparked widespread political controversy in Kerala during the Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, relates to the distribution of a screenshot depicting Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim and CPI(M) candidate KK Shailaja as a ‘kafir’ (non-believer), with the post being falsely attributed to Muslim Youth League worker Muhammad Kasim.

According to the prosecution, Mr. Bhaskar, a former member of DYFI Vadakara Block Committee and CPI(M) Thuruthi local committee, allegedly sent the controversial screenshot to around 200 recipients using WhatsApp’s broadcast feature and tried to destroy all relevant digital evidence. The prosecution claimed that the regional forensic unit found evidence supporting the allegations.

The SIT had also previously found that Mr. Ramakrishnan distributed the screenshot through a WhatsApp group called ‘Vadakara Squad’. The investigation found that the screenshot was later forwarded to other WhatsApp groups.