Kerala SIT Re-investigates 'Kafir Screenshot' Row from 2024 Elections
The Kerala government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to re-investigate the 'kafir screenshot' controversy from the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Vadakara. A WhatsApp screenshot hailed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a 'pious Muslim' while calling CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja a 'kafir' (infidel). The original probe found no evidence. The SIT, now expanding to new WhatsApp groups, arrested DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar for circulating the message. The case highlights communal tensions and political manipulation, with the UDF government reviving the probe after the LDF government had stalled it.
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Congress Criticizes CPI(M) Leader Over Remarks on 'Kafir Screenshot' Case in Kerala
On June 21, 2026, Kozhikode District Congress Committee (DCC) president K. Praveenkumar, MLA, condemned alleged threatening remarks made by Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary M. Mehboob during a protest march in Vadakara on June 20, 2026. The protest was against the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the 'kafir screenshot' case, which involves a communal screenshot that appeared before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Vadakara. Praveenkumar stated that Mehboob's alleged statements targeting Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil and Kuttiyadi MLA Parakkal Abdulla stem from the CPI(M)'s embarrassment over the case. He expressed confidence that the SIT would catch those responsible for the communal content and suggested Mehboob fears senior CPI(M) leaders may be implicated.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala court extends deadline for police report in 'Kafir' screenshot case
The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kerala has extended the deadline for police to submit a progress report on the 'Kafir' screenshot case, which involves the alleged circulation of a fake screenshot during the 2024 Vadakara Lok Sabha election. The screenshot falsely labeled Left Democratic Front candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (infidel) to incite communal tension. The court directed police to submit forensic results of seized phones by November 25 and will review the case on November 29. The police had missed the initial November 22 deadline and requested an extension. The investigation, ongoing since April 25, traced the screenshot's origin to R.S. Ribesh, admin of the 'Red Encounter' WhatsApp group, and subsequent sharing by other group and page admins. The case gained attention after Muslim Youth League leader P.K. Mohammed Khasim moved the Kerala High Court seeking updates and court monitoring.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala 'Kafir Screenshot' Row: Shailaja Backs Probe, Parambil Welcomes SIT Inquiry
Former Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja stated that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the controversial 'Kafir screenshot' episode in Vadakara during the Lok Sabha election should continue to identify those responsible. She claimed no communal polarization occurred in the constituency and that her role was only as a candidate. Meanwhile, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil welcomed the SIT investigation, alleging the fake screenshot was a planned creation by the CPI(M) to disrupt communal harmony and influence voters for political gain. The controversy emerged during the election campaign, triggering allegations and counter-allegations between parties. The Home department has ordered a dedicated SIT probe into the matter.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala SIT Expands 'Kafir Screenshot' Probe to Two New WhatsApp Groups
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 'Kafir screenshot' case in Kerala, India, has expanded its investigation to two additional WhatsApp groups—Kadathanadu Sakhakkal and Bavuppara Sakhakkal—after obtaining fresh leads during the interrogation of admins of the Vadakara Squad group. The controversial screenshot, containing communal content, was allegedly circulated against UDF candidate Shafi Parambil during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. DYFI leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan has been identified as the first known person to share the screenshot. The SIT is awaiting forensic reports to establish the source and circulation chain. Meanwhile, DYFI leadership has protested the investigation, alleging it is being used to target Left activists under pressure from the UDF and Indian Youth Congress. Police have dismissed these allegations, stating forensic evidence will determine the probe's outcome.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Explainer: The 'Kafir Screenshot' Case in Kerala
The article explains the 'kafir screenshot' case in Kerala, India, which emerged ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the Vadakara constituency. A WhatsApp screenshot purportedly from P.K. Mohammed Khasim, district secretary of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), sought votes for UDF candidate Shafi Parambil while referring to his rival, CPI(M) leader K.K. Shailaja, as a 'kafir' (infidel). The screenshot was circulated in a WhatsApp group titled 'Youth League Nedumbramanna'. A DYFI leader, Jithin Bhaskaran, was arrested on June 16, 2026, for his role in creating and circulating the screenshot. The police initially found no evidence against Khasim, who then sought a court-monitored probe. The investigation later revealed that Ribesh Ramakrishnan, a former DYFI leader, was the first to post the screenshot on social media. The case highlights communal tensions and political manipulation during elections.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT to Seek Custody of DYFI Leader in 'Kafir Screenshot' Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Vadakara 'kafir screenshot' case will move court to seek custody of Jithin Bhaskar, a DYFI leader arrested for circulating a controversial social media message during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. Bhaskar, an admin of the WhatsApp group 'Vadakara Squad', is suspected of sharing the screenshot with over 200 people. Police have not established he created the screenshot. The SIT is focusing on tracing the origin and identifying who orchestrated the message, which targeted UDF candidate Shafi Parambil and referenced CPI(M) leader K.K. Shailaja in a communal framing. There are allegations the screenshot was created on instructions of a senior CPI(M) leader. The case, which stalled under the previous LDF government, has been revived under the current UDF government.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kafir Screenshot Case: SIT Expands Probe to New WhatsApp Groups in Kozhikode
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 'Kafir' screenshot case in Kerala, India, has expanded its investigation to two new WhatsApp groups: Kadathanadu Sakhakkal and Bavuppara Sakhakkal. The leads emerged during interrogation of admins of the Vadakara Squad group, where the controversial screenshot was reportedly first shared. The screenshot, containing communal content, surfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign against UDF candidate Shafi Parambil. DYFI leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan and other witnesses have been questioned. The SIT is awaiting forensic reports to trace the screenshot's origin. Meanwhile, DYFI leadership has protested the investigation, alleging it targets Left activists under pressure from the UDF and Indian Youth Congress. Police maintain they are focused on the probe and will rely on forensic evidence.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala 'Kafir Screenshot' Row: Shailaja Says Probe Must Continue; Parambil Welcomes SIT Inquiry
Former Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja stated that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the controversial 'Kafir screenshot' episode in Vadakara during the Lok Sabha election should continue to identify those responsible. She claimed no knowledge of the matter and denied communal polarization in the constituency. Meanwhile, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil welcomed the SIT investigation, alleging the screenshot was a planned creation by the CPI(M) to disrupt communal harmony and influence voters. The controversy emerged during the election campaign, triggering cross-party allegations. The Home department has ordered a dedicated SIT probe into the incident.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Government Constitutes SIT to Re-investigate 'Kafir Screenshot' Row from 2024 Elections
The Kerala state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to re-investigate the 'kafir screenshot controversy' that erupted during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in the Vadakara constituency. The controversy involved a WhatsApp screenshot that hailed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a 'pious Muslim' while referring to CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir', an insulting term for non-Muslims. The original police investigation, which focused on Muslim Students Federation district secretary Muhammad Kasim, found no evidence and was closed. Congress alleged the CPI(M) orchestrated the message to divide voters on religious lines. The new SIT, headed by Inspector General Yathish Chandra, was formed after IUML MLA Parakkal Abdullah petitioned Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, claiming the previous LDF government ignored a High Court directive to investigate DYFI leaders, including forensic analysis of their phones.
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