A 26-year-old man from Kerala’s Malappuram district has been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after returning to India from Saudi Arabia in connection with social media comments that allegedly justified the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Muhammed Sanoof was arrested by immigration officials at Karipur International Airport after a lookout circular had been issued against him.
According to Kerala Police, the case dates back to comments made by Sanoof in 2025 under a social media post of the daughter of N. Ramachandran, one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The comments seemed to justify or support the terrorist attack, the police said, and they filed a criminal complaint, and a criminal investigation was launched.
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, took 26 lives—25 tourists and one resident. It shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation. Online content that has been pro-terrorism or promotes the attack is being taken seriously by authorities, as it is thought to promote terrorism or disharmony.
Police officials said Sanoof had been working in Saudi Arabia after the alleged social media activity. A lookout circular was issued during the investigation, and when he arrived at Karipur Airport in early July 2026, immigration officials detained him before turning him over to the Muttam Police for further investigation.
Initially, the case was registered when a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader filed a complaint. After questioning and examining the accused's mobile phone, investigators invoked provisions of the UAPA, stating that the inquiry had revealed allegations that warranted the application of the anti-terror law. Police are not releasing all of the evidence, saying the investigation is still on track.
Sanoof has now been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. They can seek custodial interrogation in the course of the investigation, police said. The investigation could be transferred to other authorities like the Crime Branch or Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) later, officials said.
Political reactions have been made in Kerala to the arrest. BJP leaders said the case was a reminder of the risks of radicalisation online and called for strict supervision of the law. But the police said the investigation is based on the alleged content of the social media posts and evidence collected during the inquiry, and the outcome will be determined in the courts.
The case also shows that alleged online activity can still be looked at even if the individual is living abroad. Indian law enforcement agencies can issue lookout notices in appropriate cases that would arrest individuals when they return to the country. But the allegations against Sanoof will continue to be investigated, and his guilt will be determined in court.
