‘Kafir screenshot’ row: SIT zeroing in on more suspects through new WhatsApp groups

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the ‘Kafir’ screenshot case has expanded its investigation to two more WhatsApp groups after obtaining new clues during the interrogation of the administrators of the group called Vadakara Squad.

Investigators are now focusing on the Kadathanadu Sakhakkal and Bavuppara Sakhakkal WhatsApp groups in the hope of catching more suspects. Sources said that details about the two new groups emerged during the interrogation of the executives of the Vadakara Squad group.

The development comes after the statements reportedly made 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 taken via the Vadakara Squad WhatsApp group.

Jithin Bhaskar, member of DYFI Vadakara Block Committee and director of Vadakara team group, was earlier questioned by the SIT. It was learned that investigators collected information about newly identified groups during subsequent investigations. Police are currently awaiting forensic reports as they work to determine the source and circulation of the controversial screenshot capture.

The screenshot containing shared content appeared during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the Vadakara Assembly constituency. The document was allegedly distributed against United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Shafi Parambil. Muslim Youth League activist Muhammad Kasim was initially named as a defendant in the case.

Subsequently, a fresh investigation was initiated after the Kerala High Court intervened in the case. Police later concluded that Mr Ramakrishnan was the first person known to have shared the screenshot. Earlier, the police submitted a report to the court stating that they had difficulty finding the source from which the report was obtained. The investigation was reopened after the state government constituted the SIT to launch a fresh probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, the DYFI leadership recently staged a protest against the SIT, alleging that the investigation was being used to corner its activists. In a recent press conference, DYFI district secretary LG Lijeesh alleged that members of the Vadakara team social media group were repeatedly summoned for questioning and intimidated in the name of the investigation.

The DYFI leader also complained that false information was conveyed to a section of the media through statements allegedly made by those conducting the investigation. According to him, there would be stronger protests in the coming days as the police deliberately targeted Left activists under pressure from the UDF and the Indian Youth Congress.

Police officers involved in the investigation, meanwhile, said they were least bothered by allegations or attempts to divert the investigation with misleading statements. They said the forensic reports would be sufficient to ascertain the veracity of the final investigation report on the cards.