In a case that has sparked a nationwide debate on "social media trials" and the ethics of digital accusations, the Kozhikode Medical College police have arrested Shimjitha Musthafa, a 35-year-old native of Vadakara. Shimjitha stands accused of abetting the suicide of U. Deepak (42), a sales manager who took his own life after a video she posted on social media accusing him of sexual misconduct went viral.
The arrest follows a weekend of intense public outcry and a formal complaint from Deepak’s grieving family, who allege that the accusations were entirely baseless and designed for "social media reach."
The 18-Second Video that Changed Everything
The tragedy began on January 16, 2026, during a bus journey to Payyannur in Kannur. Shimjitha, a former panchayat member and political activist, recorded an 18-second video of Deepak, who was seated nearby. She later uploaded the footage as an Instagram Reel, alleging that he had misbehaved and touched her inappropriately in the crowded bus.
Within hours, the video exploded across platforms, garnering over two million views. The comment sections became a digital battlefield, with many users subjecting Deepak to intense public shaming and "character assassination" without a formal investigation or hearing his side of the story.
A Life Cut Short by Public Humiliation
Deepak, a resident of Govindapuram known by his neighbors as a quiet and hardworking man, was reportedly shattered by the sudden, widespread infamy. His family states that he was in a state of acute mental distress after seeing the video and the vitriolic reactions it triggered online.
On the morning of January 18, just two days after the video was posted, Deepak was found dead at his home. He is survived by his elderly parents, who have since been vocal in their demand for justice. "My son could not bear the shame of being called a predator in front of the whole world for something he didn't do," his mother, Kanyaka, told investigators.
Legal Repercussions and "Non-Family" Postings
The police have invoked Section 108 (Abetment of Suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Shimjitha. The investigation has already uncovered several discrepancies in her narrative:
- Bus Staff Testimony: The conductor and driver of the Al Ameen bus stated that Shimjitha raised no complaint during the journey and that no commotion was observed.
- CCTV Discrepancy: While the woman claimed she had informed the Vadakara police immediately, local inspectors confirmed no such report was ever made.
- Social Media Deletion: Following the news of Deepak's death, Shimjitha deleted her Instagram and Facebook accounts and went into hiding before her eventual arrest.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has also stepped in, ordering a high-level probe by the DIG (North Zone), calling the incident a "tragic example of a social media trial" that bypassed the rule of law.
