‘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 probe to two more WhatsApp groups after obtaining fresh leads during the questioning of admins of a group named Vadakara Squad.

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

The development follows statements reportedly given by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan and other witnesses, including Manish and Amal, before the investigation team. They reportedly told the investigators that the controversial screenshot had been received through the Vadakara Squad WhatsApp group.

Jithin Bhaskar, a DYFI Vadakara Block Committee member and admin of the Vadakara squad group, had earlier been questioned by the SIT. Investigators are learnt to have gathered information about the newly identified groups during subsequent inquiries. The police are currently waiting for the forensic reports as part of the efforts to establish the source and circulation of the controversial screen grab.

The screenshot, containing communal content, surfaced during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the Vadakara Assembly constituency. It was allegedly circulated against United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Shafi Parambil. Muslim Youth League activist Mohammed Kasim was initially named as an accused in the case.

Subsequently, a fresh investigation was conducted following the intervention of the Kerala High Court in the case. The police later concluded that Mr. Ramakrishnan was the first person known to have shared the screenshot. Earlier, the police had submitted a report before the court stating that they had been finding it difficult to find the source from which he had received it. The probe was reopened after the State government formed the SIT to launch a fresh probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, the DYFI leadership recently came up with a protest against the SIT alleging that the investigation was being used to corner its activists. At a recent press conference, DYFI district secretary L.G. Lijeesh claimed that members of the Vadakara squad social media group were being repeatedly summoned for grilling and subjected to intimidation in the name of probe.

The DYFI leader also complained that fake information was being passed to a section of media as statements reportedly made by those who led the interrogation. According to him, there would be stronger protests in the days to come as the police were acting under pressure from the UDF and the Indian Youth Congress to purposefully target Left activists.

Meanwhile, police officers associated with the probe said they were least bothered about any allegations or attempts to divert the probe with misleading statements. Forensic reports would be enough to probe the merit of final investigation report on the cards, they said.