Kerala Police Investigates Controversial WhatsApp Screenshot Ahead of Elections

Explained | The ‘Kafir Screenshot’ Case in <a href="/en/article/kerala-woman-hospitalized-with-ebola-like-symptoms-after-south-sudan-trip" class="nd-inline-link">Kerala</a>

The story so far
A special <a href="/en/article/maharashtra-woman-commits-suicide-amid-dowry-harassment-allegations-two-months-after-marriage" class="nd-inline-link">investigation</a> team (SIT) of the Kerala police is investigating the creation and circulation of a controversial WhatsApp screenshot with communal undertones in the Vadakara constituency of Kozhikode. The incident occurred ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26, 2024. The screenshot, which allegedly sought votes on religious lines, has raised significant political and legal questions.

What is the case about?
The screenshot, purportedly posted in a WhatsApp group called ‘Youth League Nedumbramanna,’ appeared to be from P.K. Mohammed Khasim, the district secretary of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The message allegedly urged votes for United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Shafi Parambil, describing him as a "deeni yuvavu" (pious and religious youth) while questioning whether voters should support him or a "kafir (infidel) woman." The rival candidate for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was senior CPI(M) leader K.K. Shailaja.

Initial complaints and developments
The controversy began when C. Bhaskaran, a functionary of the LDF election campaign committee, filed a complaint with the local police, calling for an investigation. P.K. Mohammed Khasim denied involvement, surrendered his mobile phone to the police, and lodged his own complaints, claiming that the alleged WhatsApp group did not exist. The police registered two cases—one against Khasim under sections of the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity on religious grounds, and another against "unidentified persons" under minor charges.

Police inquiry and findings
The police inquiry concluded that there was no evidence linking Khasim to the creation or circulation of the screenshot. However, they were unable to determine who had created the message. Khasim subsequently approached the Kerala <a href="/en/article/calcutta-high-court-rejects-plea-against-tmc-mla-s-opposition-appointment" class="nd-inline-link">High Court</a>, seeking a court-monitored probe, but was directed to approach the local magistrate or police. Dissatisfied with the lack of progress, Khasim again approached the Vadakara court, which instructed the police to file a progress report.

The police investigation identified Ribesh Ramakrishnan, a former Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader, as the first person to share the screenshot on social media. It was later circulated by other admins of pro-Left social media groups. Despite these findings, the police struggled to trace the original source of the screenshot and accused Meta, Facebook's parent company, of not cooperating in removing the content. The case was eventually closed without significant progress.

Revival of the case
The case gained renewed attention after the UDF came to power in Kerala in May. IUML leader Parakkal Abdulla, a newly elected MLA from Kuttiyadi and a member of Shafi Parambil’s campaign team, requested a comprehensive probe from Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. In response, the government formed an eight-member SIT led by T. Manoharan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kozhikode Rural.

Progress in the re-investigation
The SIT expanded its probe to include other WhatsApp groups, such as ‘Kadathanadu Sakhakkal’ and ‘Bavuppara Sakhakkal,’ based on leads obtained during the questioning of admins from the ‘Vadakara Squad’ group. Jithin Bhaskaran, a Vadakara block committee member of the DYFI and admin of the ‘Vadakara Squad’ group, was arrested on June 16. He is suspected of sharing the controversial screenshot within the group and circulating it to over 200 people. Bhaskaran’s phone has been sent for forensic examination.

Political implications and allegations
The UDF has alleged that the screenshot may have been created under the instructions of a senior CPI(M) leader in the district. While some CPI(M) leaders had shared the content on their social media pages, these posts were later deleted. DYFI leaders, meanwhile, have accused the SIT of targeting their cadre under the guise of investigation. The police have not yet established whether Bhaskaran created the screenshot. CPI(M) leader K.K. Shailaja has stated that the investigation can continue.

The case remains under investigation, with political and communal tensions adding to its complexity.