Kozhikode: Kerala Police have arrested Shimjitha Musthafa in connection with the suicide of Deepak U, a man she had earlier accused of sexual harassment through a social media video that went viral.
According to police, Deepak was found dead by suicide days after Shimjitha posted a video publicly alleging that he had harassed her. The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, reportedly caused severe mental distress to the deceased, leading his family to file a complaint.
Based on the complaint and preliminary investigation, police registered a case of abetment to suicide and took Shimjitha Musthafa into custody. Investigators said they are examining the circumstances under which the allegations were made, the sequence of events following the viral video, and whether there was any deliberate attempt to defame or mentally harass the deceased.
Police officials clarified that the arrest does not negate the seriousness of sexual harassment allegations in general, but stressed that due legal process must be followed and that public accusations without investigation can have grave consequences.
The incident has sparked widespread debate in Kerala over the responsible use of social media, the need for legal channels to address harassment complaints, and the psychological impact of online allegations.
Authorities said further investigation is underway, including analysis of digital evidence and statements from both families, before a final charge sheet is filed.
