Kerala 'Kafir' Screenshot Case Rocks CPI(M) After Election Defeat
A communally charged WhatsApp screenshot from the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign in Vadakara, Kerala, falsely portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as pious and CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (infidel). The case, initially closed under the previous LDF government, was reopened by the new UDF government in 2026. DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran was arrested, denied bail initially, but later granted bail on July 3, 2026. The controversy has put the CPI(M) on the defensive, with the UDF accusing it of communal polarization.
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SIT makes second arrest in ‘kafir’ screenshot case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Kerala, India, made a second arrest in the controversial 'kafir' screenshot case on July 18, 2026. The arrested individual is R. Amal, a 32-year-old CPI(M) branch member and DYFI regional committee member, who was charged with disseminating communally sensitive material. He allegedly forwarded a controversial screenshot to a WhatsApp group called 'Red Battalion'. Amal was later released on bail. The case originated during the 2024 Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, involving a screenshot that portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim and CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a kafir (non-believer), falsely attributed to a Muslim Youth League worker. The prime accused, Jithin Bhaskaran, also a DYFI leader, is already out on bail. Another DYFI leader, Ribesh Ramakrishnan, was granted anticipatory bail on July 17.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Court Rejects SIT's Plea to Cancel Bail of Prime Accused in 'Kafir' Screenshot Case
The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kozhikode, Kerala, dismissed an application by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to cancel the bail of Jithin Bhaskaran, the prime accused in the 'kafir' screenshot case. The prosecution argued that Bhaskaran, a local DYFI leader, violated his bail conditions by posting Facebook messages that challenged the investigating team and allegedly attempted to create public unrest. The case stems from the circulation of a screenshot during the Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, which portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim and CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a kafir (non-believer), falsely attributing the post to a Muslim Youth League worker. Bhaskaran was arrested on June 16, 2026, and released on bail on July 3, 2026. The court rejected the SIT's arguments after hearing both sides.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Court to Rule on SIT Plea to Cancel DYFI Leader's Bail in 'Kafir Screenshot' Case
A court in Kozhikode, Kerala, is set to deliver orders on two key legal matters in the controversial 'kafir screenshot' case. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Vadakara, will rule on a Special Investigation Team (SIT) petition to cancel the bail of DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar, who is accused of circulating a screenshot that portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim and CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (non-believer), falsely attributing it to a Muslim Youth League worker. The prosecution argues Bhaskar violated bail conditions by posting messages on Facebook that challenged the investigation and could incite public unrest. Separately, the Kozhikode Sessions Court will pronounce its order on the anticipatory bail plea of another DYFI leader, Ribesh Ramakrishnan, who allegedly circulated the screenshot via a WhatsApp group named 'Vadakara Squad'. The case sparked widespread political controversy during the Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Court Grants Bail to DYFI Leader in 'Kafir' Screenshot Case
The Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court granted bail to DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran on July 3, 2026, in the 'kafir' screenshot case that emerged during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Vadakara, Kerala. Bhaskaran, arrested on June 16 and in judicial custody, had his bail petition approved by Principal Sessions Judge V.S. Bindu Kumar after two rounds of arguments. The case involves the circulation of a screenshot falsely attributing a post to Muslim Youth League worker Mohammed Kasim, which portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a 'devout Muslim' and CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (non-believer). The prosecution alleged Bhaskaran sent the screenshot to approximately 200 recipients via WhatsApp broadcast and attempted to destroy digital evidence, with forensic evidence recovered. The special investigation team (SIT) previously dropped Mohammed Kasim from the accused list. Bhaskaran contended the case was a political conspiracy and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Sessions Court Reserves Verdict on DYFI Leader's Bail Plea in Kafir Screenshot Case
The Sessions Court in Kozhikode, Kerala, on July 1, 2026, reserved its order on the bail application of Jithin Bhaskaran, a DYFI leader and the prime accused in the 'kafir screenshot' case. The verdict is set to be pronounced on July 3. The prosecution opposed bail, alleging Bhaskaran attempted to destroy digital evidence from his phone and that his custodial interrogation is needed for the probe. Bhaskaran's defense argued the case is politically motivated and noted his 14 days in custody. Separately, a magistrate court extended Bhaskaran's remand for another 14 days. The case involves the creation and circulation of a communal WhatsApp screenshot during the 2024 Lok Sabha election in the Vadakara constituency. The SIT was formed after the UDF government came to power in May 2026, replacing the LDF government which had previously closed the case. The court will also hear the anticipatory bail plea of another former DYFI leader on July 3.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DYFI Leader Denied Bail in 'Kafir Screenshot' Case in Kerala
A Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Vadakara, Kerala, denied bail to Jithin Bhaskaran, a local leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), in the 'kafir screenshot' case. The case involves the creation and circulation of a WhatsApp screenshot with communal content ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, portraying UDF candidate Shafi Parambil as pious and his LDF rival K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (infidel). The court rejected the defense's argument that the charge was politically motivated and that Bhaskaran had cooperated, citing the early stage of the investigation, the possibility of more culprits, and the risk of evidence tampering. The case gained new momentum after the UDF formed a special investigation team (SIT) to re-investigate, which identified Bhaskaran through questioning of pro-Left social media group admins.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kaffir screen shot controversy: DYFI national president Rahim moves police against 'smear campaign'
A.A. Rahim, national president of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and MP, has filed a police complaint in Thiruvananthapuram against an alleged social media smear campaign. The controversy stems from a 'Kafir screenshot' shared during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Vadakara, which slurred CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a non-believer. DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar was arrested by Kozhikode police for orchestrating the campaign, which aimed to consolidate Hindu votes. The arrest has put the CPI(M) on the defensive, as several leaders, including former legislator K.K. Lathika, had shared the screenshot. The case was initially investigated under the previous LDF government but closed due to lack of evidence. However, under the new UDF government, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a reinvestigation following a complaint by IUML MLA Parakkal Abdullah, leading to Bhaskar's arrest and seizure of his devices for forensic analysis. The probe is expected to extend to political leaders who promoted the screenshot.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kafir Screenshot Case Puts CPI(M) on Defensive in Kerala
The 'Kafir' screenshot case is emerging as a fresh political setback for the CPI(M) in Kerala, India, following its defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections. The case involves a communally charged screenshot shared during the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign in Vadakara, urging Muslim voters to support the UDF candidate over CPI(M) nominee K.K. Shailaja. A special investigation team (SIT) has arrested Jithin Bhaskaran, a DYFI block committee member, and interrogated other CPI(M) leaders. The controversy was revived after IUML leader Parakkal Abdulla petitioned the Home Minister, leading to the SIT's formation. The UDF is using the case to accuse the CPI(M) of communal polarization for political gain. The CPI(M) has called for a thorough investigation, but the timing is awkward as the party was preparing to mount an offensive against the new UDF government on issues like Nipah outbreaks and the PM-SHRI scheme.
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