The Vadakara Judicial Court has dismissed the SIT's application to revoke the bail of DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran, despite allegations of violating bail conditions via social media.

Key Takeaways

  • The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court rejected the SIT's plea.
  • Prime accused Jithin Bhaskaran, a DYFI leader, retains his bail.
  • The prosecution alleged Bhaskaran breached bail terms through Facebook posts.
  • The case stems from a controversial screenshot circulated during the Vadakara Lok Sabha elections.

In a significant legal development regarding the controversial 'Kafir' screenshot case in Kerala, the Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kozhikode on Friday dismissed an application filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT had sought the cancellation of bail granted to Jithin Bhaskaran, a local leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the primary accused in the high-profile matter.

Allegations of Violating Bail Conditions

The prosecution's case rested on the assertion that following his release on bail on July 3, Bhaskaran failed to adhere to the prescribed legal conditions. The SIT argued that the accused utilized Facebook to post messages that allegedly challenged the integrity of the investigating team. Furthermore, the prosecution raised alarms regarding potential public unrest and attempts to interfere with the ongoing investigation, suggesting that the accused's social media activity was a deliberate attempt to undermine the judicial process.

Deep Roots of the Controversy

To understand the gravity of this case, one must look back at the political climate during the Vadakara Lok Sabha election campaign. The controversy erupted following the viral circulation of a manipulated screenshot. The image portrayed Congress candidate Shafi Parambil as a devout Muslim while labeling CPI(M) candidate K.K. Shailaja as a 'kafir' (non-believer). Crucially, the post was falsely attributed to a member of the Muslim Youth League, Mohammed Kasim, a tactic widely viewed as an attempt to incite communal friction and manipulate voter sentiment.

Forensic Evidence and Investigation

The SIT has been working aggressively to trace the origins of the digital misinformation. According to investigators, Bhaskaran allegedly used WhatsApp's broadcast feature to disseminate the inflammatory screenshot to approximately 200 recipients. While the prosecution claimed that the accused attempted to destroy digital evidence to evade justice, the district forensic division successfully recovered key data supporting the charges. Bhaskaran was initially taken into custody on June 16, 2026, and this latest court ruling marks a critical juncture in the legal battle.