The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Vadakara, on Thursday granted the police two days of custody of DYFI leader Jithin Bhaskar, who was recently arrested and remanded in connection with the investigation into the controversial ‘Kafir screenshot’ case. The court allowed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to interrogate the accused until 5 p.m. on June 20. His bail application was dismissed.

The prosecution submitted that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain whether Mr. Bhaskar had used a computer or any other digital device to create the disputed screenshot and to recover electronic evidence relevant to the investigation. The prosecutor also argued that custody was required to determine whether any other persons were involved in the alleged offence and to examine the possibility of a wider conspiracy behind the creation and circulation of the message.

Mr. Bhaskar, a member of the DYFI Vadakara block committee and administrator of the WhatsApp group ‘Vadakara Squad’, was arrested last Tuesday after being summoned for fresh questioning by the SIT.

Investigators suspect that the screenshot was circulated among more than 200 persons through the group. His mobile phone has already been sent for forensic examination.

According to investigation sources, digital and forensic tools are being used to trace the origin of the screenshot and establish the chain of its circulation. The SIT has questioned several WhatsApp group adminis as part of its probe and is examining whether the message was sent through a coordinated network.

The prosecution told the court that further interrogation was necessary to identify the source of the screenshot, verify the devices used in its creation, and determine whether anyone else played a role in its preparation or circulation.

The controversial screenshot surfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Vadakara. The screenshot had triggered complaints alleging an attempt to influence voters through communal messaging. The SIT continued the probe to trace all those who are responsible for the creation and circulation of this message.