File report on 'kafir' screenshot case: HC to state

KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state to file a statement on a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation of the Vadakara 'kafir' WhatsApp screenshot case. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas gave the directive on a petition filed by P K Muhammed Khasim, Kozhikode district secretary of Muslim Students Federation (MSF) and posted the case to June 14.

The case pertains to circulation of a screenshot of a WhatsApp post allegedly referrring to the LDF candidate in Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency as a 'kafir' (infidel). Khasim has contended that it was falsely claimed that he had sent the fabricated screenshot to a WhatsApp group, leading to a smear campaign against him.TNN|

HC directs govt to file statement

The high court has directed the state govt to file a statement in a petition seeking a court-monitored investigation into a case involving the circulation of a screenshot of a WhatsApp post, allegedly referring to the LDF candidate in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency as a 'kafir'.

The bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the directive while considering a plea by Muslim Students Federation (MSF) Kozhikode district secretary P K Muhammed Khasim and posted the case for June 14.

Khasim alleged that the screenshot was fabricated. The screenshot was circulated claiming that the post was made by Khasim in a WhatsApp group, 'Youth League Nidumbramanna,' and then appeared in a Facebook post by 'Ambadimukk Sakhakkal Kannur' the day before the Lok Sabha election. In the screenshot, the post referred to the Vadakara LDF candidate as a 'kafir' (infidel) and UDF candidate as a 'dini' (pious man).

The petitioner contended that even though 'Ambadimukk Sakhakkal Kannur' deleted the post shortly after it was uploaded, it had already spread on social media, leading to a vicious smear campaign against him, branding him as a fanatic.

Khasim alleged that although he lodged a complaint with the rural police chief, which was relegated to the Vadakara police on the night of April 25, the police registered a case against him and another case against 'unknown persons' based on a different petition regarding the same issue.

Khasim submitted a representation to the state police chief on May 19 to expedite the inquiry, but the investigation remained at a standstill even after a month. Consequently, he approached the high court.