Published Jan 27, 2026 | 5:50 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 27, 2026 | 5:50 PM
Deepak ended his life three days after Shimjitha had uploaded a video on social media, claiming he had harassed her on a public bus.
Synopsis: A local court in Kerala has denied bail to Shimjitha Mustafa, who was arrested on charges of abetting the suicide of Deepak, a 42-year-old man, earlier this month after she posted a video on social media accusing him of sexual harassment on a moving bus. The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that the investigation is at an early stage and that granting bail could risk interference.
A local court in Kozhikode, Kerala, on Tuesday, 27 January, rejected the bail plea of Shimjitha Mustafa (35), who is accused of abetment to suicide in connection with the death of Deepak (42), a salesman from Govindapuram.
Police said the deceased was under severe mental distress after Shimjitha, in a video posted on social media, accused him of touching her inappropriately on a crowded moving bus in Kannur earlier this month.
The clip quickly went viral, garnering over 20 lakh views and triggering nationwide attention and backlash against Deepak.
During the hearing, police told the Kunnamangalam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court that statements from several witnesses are yet to be recorded and that further evidence is being collected.
They also said the mobile phone allegedly used to upload the video has been sent for scientific analysis.
The prosecution said releasing the accused at this stage could allow her to influence witnesses or obstruct the investigation.
The defence, meanwhile, said Shimjitha had no prior connection with the deceased and that the charge of abetment to suicide is not legally sustainable.
The court accepted the prosecution’s submission that several aspects of the case are yet to be examined, that the investigation is at a crucial initial stage, and that granting bail could affect the probe.
Shimjitha Mustafa is currently lodged in judicial custody at Manjeri Jail.
She was taken into custody by the Kozhikode Medical College police from a relative’s house in Vadakara after Deepak was found hanging at his home on 18 January.
A native of Vadakara, she was booked for abetment to suicide and was initially absconding after the case was registered.
A lookout circular was issued amid concerns that she might attempt to leave the country, particularly as she had previously lived abroad. Meanwhile, she approached the Kozhikode District Court seeking anticipatory bail.
Police are continuing to collect evidence, including additional video footage, and are recording statements from private bus employees who travelled with Deepak and Shimjitha.
The alleged incident took place on a private bus named Al Amin, which operates via Payyannur Railway Station.
CCTV footage obtained by the police shows Deepak boarding the bus through the front door and Shimjitha entering through the rear door at the railway station bus stop.
However, footage from inside the bus mainly captures the crowd and does not clearly show the alleged incident.
The bus conductor, Ramakrishnan, and the driver, Prakash, told police they did not notice any such incident during the journey.
Deepak’s family has demanded that more stringent charges be added against the accused.
They accused Shimjitha of framing Deepak to amplify her social media page.
Deepak’s father told the media that his son deserved justice and that such an incident should not happen to anyone else.
Deepak reportedly spoke to several friends about his anxiety over the video and mentioned the possibility of filing a complaint.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
