‘Kafir’ screenshot case: SIT arrests DYFI leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Vadakara ‘kafir’ screenshot case arrested Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Ribesh Ramakrishnan, the second accused in the case, on Friday (July 24, 2026). His arrest was recorded when he appeared before the Kozhikode District Crime Branch office following a notice issued by the SIT.

The investigating team had arraigned Ribesh as the second accused and submitted a report before the Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court detailing the fresh charges against him. Police sources said further legal proceedings would be initiated in accordance with the anticipatory bail granted to him earlier by the Kozhikode Sessions Court.

According to the investigation team, DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskaran, who was arrested earlier in the case, created the forged screenshot and initially forwarded it to Ribesh. The latter allegedly shared the image in a WhatsApp group named Red Enclave, from where it was circulated through several other Left-leaning WhatsApp groups, including Ambalappuzha Red Battalion, and on various Facebook pages.

The investigators also found that Jithin had reset his mobile phone after creating the image in an attempt to destroy digital evidence.

The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had earlier dismissed an SIT plea seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Jithin. The investigating team had argued that he had violated the conditions of his bail by participating in reception programmes held in Vadakara and Thiruvallur after his release.

The case relates to the circulation of a fabricated screenshot containing communally sensitive content during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha election in the Vadakara constituency. The post purportedly sought to portray Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate K.K. Shailaja in a derogatory manner by referring to her as a ‘kafir‘.

The case initially led to allegations against activists of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF). However, subsequent investigations pointed to the alleged involvement of CPI(M) and DYFI activists, following which the State police constituted the SIT for a fresh probe that resulted in the arrest of two DYFI activists.