Vadakara (Kerala): The Vadakara First Class Judicial Magistrate Court has rejected the bail plea of Jithin Bhaskar, a DYFI leader arrested in connection with the controversial 'Kafir' screenshot case. The case, which triggered a massive political and communal storm across Kerala ahead of the 2024 Vadakara Parliament elections, saw a breakthrough last Tuesday when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Bhaskar.

Magistrate Ali Fathima has denied the bail after hearing intense arguments from both sides.


The legal tussle: Defense vs Prosecution

Advocate K M Ramdas, appearing for Jithin Bhaskar, strongly argued for bail, stating that his client's interrogation was complete and that he had fully cooperated with the investigation by handing over his mobile phone. The defense maintained that the case was entirely politically motivated.

However, the prosecution fiercely opposed the bail plea, arguing that

  • The investigation is at a crucial stage and more evidence needs to be unearthed.
  • The police will require the accused in further custody for deeper interrogation.
  • The court ultimately validated the prosecution's concerns and rejected the bail.

Digital traces and destruction of evidence

Jithin Bhaskar is a member of the DYFI Vadakara Block Committee and the CPM Thiruvallur Thuruthi Local Committee. Police investigations revealed that Bhaskar used a WhatsApp broadcast message feature to disseminate the highly inflammatory screenshot to over 200 people.

Crucially, the SIT found that Bhaskar had attempted to destroy digital evidence. However, the District Forensic Science Laboratory successfully recovered digital signatures and evidence proving his track.


Inside the 'Vadakara Squad' network

The SIT investigation has exposed a coordinated digital chain that led to the viral spread of the hate post.

The origin: The post targeted Left candidate K K Shailaja by branding her a "Kafir" (infidel) while presenting UDF candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim. It falsely framed a Youth League worker, Muhammad Kasim, as the creator of the communal message.

The admin: Jithin Bhaskar was identified as the admin of a WhatsApp group titled 'Vadakara Squad' 

The proliferator: The SIT had previously discovered that another prominent DYFI leader, Ribesh Ramakrishnan, initially shared and pushed the fabricated screenshot inside this 'Vadakara Squad' group. From there, it was forwarded systematically to various other public and private groups to polarise voters.