Vadakara Kafir remark: Court grants police more time to submit probe progress report

Vadakara: The Vadakara First-Class Judicial Magistrate Court has granted additional time for the police to submit the progress report on the investigation in the Kafir screenshot case. The court has now directed the police to submit the report, along with the forensic examination results of the seized phones, by November 25. The matter will be reviewed again on November 29.

On November 9, when the case was heard, the court had instructed the police to submit the report on the progress of the investigation and the results of the forensic examination of the seized phones. However, during today’s hearing, the police failed to comply and requested more time. The court initially required the reports to be submitted by 2.30 pm today after the court break. However, the police sought an extension when the court session resumed.

Highlighting the lack of progress in the eight-month-long investigation, the complainant and MSF leader Muhammad Kasim had approached the court, requesting its supervision. The court had previously stated that it would decide on supervision after hearing the police’s arguments but had firmly instructed the submission of investigation updates two weeks ago.

The case dates back to the Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign, where a controversial WhatsApp message, allegedly from MSF leader PK Muhammad Kasim, labelled LDF candidate KK Shailaja a ‘kafir.’ The message sparked allegations of communalism, with MSF calling for an investigation and IUML accusing the CPM of a conspiracy. Although Kasim was cleared, a High Court report later revealed that the operation aimed to create communal tensions for electoral advantage.