The power of online public trials ultimately turned into an irreversible tragedy.
In Kerala, India, a 35-year-old female influencer recently filmed a video on a public bus, accusing a 42-year-old man of sexually harassing her. The video was rapidly shared on social media, surpassing 2 million views and sparking heated public debate.
However, two days later, the accused man was found dead in his home, marking a shocking turn in the case. Local police subsequently arrested the influencer and launched an investigation into "abetment of suicide."
Accusation Video Goes Viral, Man's Identity Exposed
According to "NDTV" and "Deccan Chronicle," the incident occurred on the 16th of this month. The influencer, Shimjisha Mustafa, filmed a video on a bus, accusing fellow passenger Deepak of touching her without consent, claiming his behavior was deliberate and not a misunderstanding.
In the video, Mustafa stated she began recording after noticing another woman ahead of her was also uncomfortable, and accused the man of continuing his inappropriate behavior even after realizing he was being filmed. After the video was posted, Deepak's personal information was quickly exposed online, attracting a flood of criticism and insults.
Succumbing to Public Pressure, Family Maintains His Innocence
Two days after the video was released, Deepak's parents found his body at their Kozhikode home. The family insisted he was unjustly accused and chose to end his life because he could not bear the public humiliation.
Tragically, the day the video went viral was also Deepak's 42nd birthday. According to his family, he became extremely depressed after the incident, barely ate for two days, and ultimately took his own life.
Influencer Deleted the Video but Still Held Responsible, Police File Abetment of Suicide Case
After the tragedy, Mustafa deleted the controversial video and posted a clarification, but this message was later set to private. Police filed a case for "abetment of suicide," issued an arrest warrant, and notified border control to prevent her from fleeing.
Mustafa went into hiding to avoid arrest but was eventually apprehended by police on the 21st. The court ordered her to be remanded in custody for 14 days and transferred her to Manjeri Jail pending trial.
Meanwhile, Deepak's family questioned whether the video had been edited or taken out of context; police have confiscated Mustafa's phone and are investigating the original footage to determine if any manipulation or misleading content exists.
Investigators indicated that whether the video presents the facts in their entirety will be a crucial piece of evidence in defining the case.
As the incident continues to unfold, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has intervened, demanding a police report within a week. At the same time, the "All India Men's Association" has petitioned the High Court, requesting that the Central Bureau of Investigation or the Criminal Investigation Department take over the case.
Mustafa is not only a social media creator but has also served in local political office. This case has sparked intense discussion in Indian society about "online public trials," "cyberbullying," and the boundaries of "sexual harassment accusations."