Daijiworld Media Network - Kozhikode

Kozhikode, Jan 21: Shimjitha Musthafa, the accused in the case linked to the suicide of a Kerala-based sales manager, has been remanded to police custody for 14 days. She was produced before the Kunnamangalam Magistrate after her arrest for posting a video of the victim on social media, in which she alleged that he had touched her inappropriately.

Earlier, the Kozhikode Medical College police booked Musthafa (35), a resident of Vadakara, under charges of abetment to suicide, officials confirmed.

The case relates to the death of 41-year-old Deepak U, a sales manager with a textile company, who died by suicide at his residence on Monday. Police said Deepak had been under severe mental stress following intense trolling and abuse on social media.

According to the police, the incident that triggered the controversy occurred on Friday when Deepak was travelling to his office on a crowded bus in Kozhikode. During the journey, his hand allegedly brushed against a woman standing behind him. The woman, later identified as Shimjitha Musthafa, a social media content creator, was reportedly recording a reel at the time.

Though she did not react immediately, Shimjitha later uploaded an 18-second video on social media, accusing Deepak of repeatedly touching her inappropriately. The clip went viral, garnering more than two million views within hours, after which Deepak became the target of widespread online trolling and abusive comments.

Police said the relentless online harassment took a severe toll on Deepak’s mental health, eventually driving him to end his life.

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the police to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident. The Commission has asked the North Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police to submit a report within a week and said the case will be reviewed during its sitting scheduled on February 19.