Thiruvananthapuram, July 7: A 26-year-old man from Kerala, identified as Muhammad Sanoof, has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly posting a social media comment that justified the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, police said.
The case is being investigated by the Kerala Police, which alleges that the accused made derogatory remarks under a social media video featuring the daughter of one of the victims of the attack.
Arrested After Returning from Saudi Arabia
According to police, Sanoof, who had been working in Saudi Arabia, was detained upon his arrival at Karipur International Airport on July 4 after a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against him.
He was subsequently taken to Muttam Police Station in Idukki district, where he was formally arrested and later produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
Alleged Social Media Comment
Police allege that Sanoof posted a comment beneath a video of N. Ramachandran’s daughter, in which he allegedly attempted to justify the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and one local resident in Jammu and Kashmir.
Investigators said the content was considered serious enough to invoke provisions of the UAPA, in addition to other relevant sections of law.
Digital Evidence Under Examination
As part of the investigation, police have seized the accused’s mobile phone and are examining its contents for additional digital evidence.
Officials said forensic analysis and further questioning are underway to determine whether there were any broader links or additional online activities relevant to the case.
UAPA Invoked
Following preliminary investigation, police invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, India’s principal anti-terror legislation, citing the nature of the alleged online content.
The case reflects increasing scrutiny by law enforcement agencies over online posts that are alleged to support, glorify, or justify acts of terrorism.
Debate Over Online Speech
The incident has also renewed discussions over the enforcement of anti-terror laws in relation to online speech. While authorities maintain that strict action is necessary to prevent the spread of extremist narratives and protect national security, some civil society groups have called for careful application of such laws in accordance with legal safeguards.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have indicated that further action will depend on the outcome of the digital forensic examination.
Note: The allegations against Muhammad Sanoof are based on the findings of the Kerala Police. The case is under investigation, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.