Kerala Police Forms SIT to Investigate 'Kafir' Screenshot Row
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases related to the controversial 'kafir' screenshot row that surfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Vadakara. State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar issued orders on Wednesday to form the SIT, citing the gravity and sensitivity of the cases.
The SIT will be headed by the Kozhikode Rural District Police Chief, while DSP T Manoharan of the District Crime Branch has been appointed as the Chief Investigating Officer. He will be assisted by officers from the Vadakara police station, the District Crime Branch, and the Cyber Cell. According to the order, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kannur range will supervise the probe and will have the authority to co-opt additional officers into the SIT if required. The SIT has also been directed to submit fortnightly progress reports to the police headquarters.
Details of the Cases
The investigation relates to two cases registered at the Vadakara police station. The first case concerns the circulation of messages against an LDF candidate through social media with the alleged intention of creating communal polarization. The second case pertains to the creation and circulation of fake messages in the name of a complainant, allegedly aimed at causing social unrest and disturbing public peace. The controversy centers on a doctored screenshot that was circulated on the eve of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Vadakara. The screenshot purportedly labeled LDF candidate K K Shailaja as a 'kafir' (non-believer), triggering a major political row in the state. The issue led to a bitter exchange between the CPM and the UDF, with both sides accusing each other of attempting communal polarization during the election campaign.
Earlier Investigations
Police investigations conducted earlier had found that the fake message first appeared in WhatsApp groups allegedly linked to CPM and DYFI members before spreading widely across social media platforms. The findings intensified the political controversy and led to demands for a comprehensive investigation. The formation of the SIT is expected to bring clarity to the matter and ensure a thorough probe into the origins and dissemination of the doctored screenshot.
