Kafir screenshot case: SIT arrests DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar in Vadakara probe
Synopsis
Kerala's Kafir screenshot case — dormant under the previous Left government — has claimed its first arrest. SIT investigators detained DYFI block committee member Jithin Bhaskar after his third round of questioning, with the WhatsApp group 'Vadakara Squad' now squarely in their sights. Congress says he is only the tip of the iceberg.
Key Takeaways
SIT arrested DYFI Vadakara Block Committee member Jithin Bhaskar on 16 June in connection with the Kafir screenshot case .
It was Jithin's third summons by the SIT; his arrest was recorded after the latest round of questioning.
The WhatsApp group 'Vadakara Squad' is being examined as the possible origin point of the fake post.
DYFI Vadakara Block President Ribesh Ramakrishnan resigned from his organisational post days before appearing before the SIT.
The case was originally closed by the Pinarayi Vijayan government for lack of evidence and revived under the V.D.
Satheesan -led UDF government.
Congress MLA Praveen Kumar alleged the arrested person is 'only the tip of the iceberg,' hinting at more arrests to come.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 'Kafir' screenshot case arrested Jithin Bhaskar, a member of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Vadakara Block Committee, on 16 June in Kozhikode, marking a significant escalation in an investigation that has roiled Kerala politics since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The arrest followed Jithin's third round of questioning by the SIT, after which investigators formally recorded his detention.
Background: What the Kafir Case Is About
The controversy erupted during the 2024 Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, when a fake social media post containing the word 'Kafir' — widely regarded as a religious slur — was allegedly circulated, targeting Congress candidate Shafi Parambil. The Vadakara constituency witnessed a fiercely contested battle between Parambil and former Health Minister K.K. Shylaja of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). Parambil's eventual victory was described as a significant setback for the Left.
SIT's Current Lines of Inquiry
Investigators are now zeroing in on the WhatsApp group 'Vadakara Squad', identified as a possible origin point for the disputed screenshot. The SIT is working to establish the identity of the post's creator, the first person to distribute it, and the motive behind its circulation. The probe has expanded to cover administrators and members of several cyber groups linked to the post's spread.
Notably, just days before Jithin's arrest, DYFI Vadakara Block President Ribesh Ramakrishnan resigned from his organisational post ahead of his own appearance before the SIT. Ribesh, however, reportedly continues as a rank-and-file member of the DYFI block committee.
How the Case Was Revived
The initial police investigation, conducted under the then Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, was closed after investigators stated they could not trace the original source of the screenshot, citing insufficient evidence. The case was revived after the V.D. Satheesan-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government assumed office and ordered a fresh SIT probe — a move that the Left has contested as politically motivated.
Political Reactions
Congress MLA and Kozhikode District Congress Committee (DCC) president Praveen Kumar said the latest arrest showed that 'the truth was beginning to emerge as the law took its course.' He claimed the arrested individual was 'only the tip of the iceberg,' alleging that more individuals — including 'big fish' — were involved in what he characterised as a coordinated conspiracy.
What Happens Next
The SIT is expected to continue summoning members and administrators of online groups associated with the screenshot's circulation. With the investigation now reaching deeper into organisational structures linked to the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the case is likely to remain a flashpoint in Kerala's already polarised political landscape ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
But the more consequential question is whether the SIT can establish a chain of custody for the post — creator, first distributor, motive — that holds up in court. The case has an inherent credibility problem: it was closed by one government and reopened by its successor, making every development susceptible to charges of political convenience. The resignation of the block president days before his SIT appearance adds to the optics, but optics are not evidence. If the 'Vadakara Squad' WhatsApp group does yield forensic proof of origin, it would be a rare instance of a cyberspace election-interference case being prosecuted to conclusion in India — and that precedent matters far beyond Kerala.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kafir screenshot case in Kerala?
The Kafir screenshot case involves a fake social media post containing the word 'Kafir' — a religious slur — that was allegedly circulated during the 2024 Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign to target Congress candidate Shafi Parambil. An SIT is now probing its origin and distribution.
Who is Jithin Bhaskar and why was he arrested?
Jithin Bhaskar is a member of the DYFI Vadakara Block Committee. He was arrested on 16 June after his third round of questioning by the SIT, which is investigating his alleged role in the circulation of the controversial screenshot.
What is the 'Vadakara Squad' WhatsApp group?
'Vadakara Squad' is a WhatsApp group that investigators believe may have been the original point of circulation for the fake 'Kafir' post. The SIT is examining the group's administrators and members as part of its expanded probe.
Why was the Kafir case closed earlier and then reopened?
The initial investigation under the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government was closed citing a lack of evidence and inability to trace the screenshot's source. The case was revived after the V.D. Satheesan-led UDF government came to power and ordered a fresh SIT inquiry.
What did Congress say about the arrest?
Congress MLA and Kozhikode DCC president Praveen Kumar said the arrest showed the truth was emerging, but claimed Jithin was 'only the tip of the iceberg,' alleging that more individuals — including 'big fish' — were part of a wider conspiracy.
