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Arrest made in Kerala after man dies by suicide over harassment allegations
Police in Kerala have detained a woman following the suicide of a man she accused of inappropriate touching on a bus, sparking nationwide debate over social media trials and men's rights.
Incident and viral video
Shimjitha Musthafa, 35, posted a video last week showing Deepak U, 42, allegedly elbowing her breast during a bus ride in Kozhikode district. The footage quickly spread online, drawing widespread condemnation of Deepak.
Two days later, on January 18, Deepak died by suicide. His family and friends maintain he was innocent and devastated by the public backlash.
Family's allegations and police action
Deepak's mother filed a complaint accusing Musthafa of abetting suicide. Police arrested Musthafa on Wednesday, charging her under a non-bailable offense. She was remanded to 14 days in judicial custody.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has ordered police to submit an investigation report within a week.
Conflicting narratives emerge
Musthafa, a social media content creator linked to the Indian Union Muslim League, denied seeking fame, stating she posted the video to "highlight a serious social and mental issue."
"It was neither an accident nor a misunderstanding," Musthafa said in a follow-up video, claiming Deepak had crossed a "sexual boundary."
Deepak's friend Asgar Ali countered that Deepak was "too decent" to commit such an act and was "distraught" by the accusations. Ali said Deepak planned to consult a lawyer to take legal action against Musthafa.
Public reaction and debate
Deepak's death has ignited fierce discussions online. Some users defended Musthafa's right to document harassment, while others blamed the viral video for Deepak's suicide.
"Social media trial killed a youth," wrote user Suraj Kumar Bauddh, arguing the video did not conclusively prove harassment.
Women shared personal stories of public harassment, while men's rights activists rallied in support of Deepak, calling the accusations false.
Broader context
The case highlights India's ongoing struggle with sexual harassment in crowded public spaces and the double-edged role of social media in exposing abuse versus enabling public shaming.
Deepak, a textile company sales representative, was the only child of elderly parents, who are reportedly too grief-stricken to speak.
