SIT summons DYFI leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan for questioning in 'Kafir' screenshot case

The youth organisation leader, arraigned as the second accused in the case by the Special Investigation Team, has been issued a notice to report at the Crime Branch office in Kozhikode.

Published – July 23, 2026 07:48 pm IST | Kozhikode By The Hindu Bureau

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Vadakara ‘kafir’ screenshot case has issued a notice to Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan, the second accused in the case. The notice directs him to report at the Kozhikode District Crime Branch office on Friday (July 24, 2026) for interrogation.

The notice comes days after the SIT arraigned the youth organisation leader as the second accused and submitted a report before the Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court detailing the fresh charges against him. Police sources said further legal proceedings would be initiated in accordance with the anticipatory bail granted to him earlier by the Kozhikode Sessions Court.

Investigation Findings

According to the investigation team:

• DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran, who was arrested earlier in the case, created the forged screenshot and initially forwarded it to Ribesh.
• Ribesh allegedly shared the screenshot in a WhatsApp group named ‘Red Enclave’.
• From there, it was circulated through several other Left-leaning WhatsApp groups, including Ambalappuzha Red Battalion, and on various Facebook pages.
• Investigators also found that Jithin reset his mobile phone in an attempt to destroy digital evidence.

Legal Proceedings

The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had earlier dismissed the SIT’s plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Jithin Bhaskaran. The investigating team had argued that he violated bail conditions by participating in various reception programmes held at Vadakara and Thiruvallur after his release. It also cited incidents of violence and slogans directed against the police and the State government.

Background of the Case

The case pertains to the circulation of a fabricated screenshot containing communally sensitive content during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha election in the Vadakara constituency. The post purportedly sought to portray Left Democratic Front candidate K.K. Shailaja in a derogatory manner by referring to her as a ‘kafir’ (non-believer).

The case initially led to allegations against activists of the Muslim Students Federation. However, further investigations indicated the alleged involvement of CPI(M) and DYFI activists, following which the police constituted the SIT for a fresh probe. This resulted in the arrest of two DYFI activists.

Published – July 23, 2026 07:48 pm IST