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Kerala Police Invoke UAPA Against Returnee Over Offensive Pahalgam Comment

Police say phone forensics and interrogation produced evidence that justified the UAPA charge and may lead to transfer of the probe to specialised units.

Overview

  • The suspect, who was detained at Karipur (Calicut) airport on July 4, was held on a lookout notice and handed to Muttom police for a case registered last year after a BJYM leader filed a complaint.
  • Authorities say preliminary questioning and examination of the man’s mobile phone produced evidence that prompted invocation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a stringent anti‑terror law.
  • State Cyber Cell officers helped trace the alleged comment to an account used while the suspect was abroad and police have seized his phone and other digital devices for forensic analysis.
  • The accused was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody and police say they will seek custody for further questioning and may transfer the investigation to the Crime Branch or the Anti‑Terrorism Squad.
  • The arrest has drawn public comment from BJP leaders who framed it as an example of online radicalisation and raised debate over the scope of UAPA when applied to social‑media speech.