Kafir screenshot case in Kerala: Court rejects SIT’s plea to cancel bail of prime accused Jithin Bhaskaran
A Kerala court has rejected a plea by the Special Investigation Team to cancel the bail of Jithin Bhaskaran, the prime accused in a controversial 'kafir' screenshot case. The court found insufficient evidence that the accused had breached his bail conditions.
Why it matters
The case is significant due to its impact on local political discourse and the legal handling of digital misinformation during elections.
The Vadakara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kozhikode on Friday (July 17, 2026) dismissed an application moved by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) seeking the cancellation of the bail granted to Jithin Bhaskaran, a local leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the prime accused in the controversial ‘kafir’ screenshot case.
After hearing the submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the court rejected the SIT’s prime argument that Mr. Bhaskaran had breached his bail conditions upon his release from judicial custody.
The prosecution’s argument was that, after being released on bail on July 3, the accused violated the conditions of his bail by posting messages on Facebook that allegedly challenged the investigating team. It also raised concerns in the court with a claim that he attempted to create public unrest in the locality and interfered with the course of investigation.
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