A video recorded by Ananthu before his death and pre-scheduled to be released on his Instagram account on Wednesday, details his experiences and mental struggles, highlighting instances of sexual abuse from early childhood.
Published Oct 15, 2025 | 10:45 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 15, 2025 | 10:45 PM
Ananthu Aji's scheduled Instagram video named an RSS activist as the person who drove him to suicide
Synopsis: Ananthu Aji, a 26-year-old IT professional from Kottayam who died by suicide last week after years of alleged abuse at a local RSS branch, named his abuser as Nitheesh Muraleesharan, a former neighbour and RSS activist, in an Instagram video recorded prior to his death and released posthumously. In it, he details repeated sexual abuse at an RSS camp and the psychological trauma he endured. While his family has called for justice without politicising the matter, Thiruvananthapuram police are investigating both the accused and the RSS branch he attended.
Nearly a week after 26-year-old Kottayam native Ananthu Aji died by suicide, reportedly after years of sexual abuse and emotional torment by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, a video recorded by him before his death was released on his Instagram account on Wednesday, 15 October evening.
In it, he identified his alleged abuser as Nitheesh Muraleesharan.
Ananthu, an IT professional, was found dead last Thursday in a lodge in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, shortly after a scheduled Instagram post containing his suicide note was released. The note made shocking allegations of repeated sexual harassment at an RSS camp, identifying the abuser only by the initials “NM.”
The latest video, titled “dying declaration” and recorded on 14 September, details Ananthu’s experiences and mental struggles, highlighting instances of sexual abuse from early childhood.
“This is my final message. Many may wonder why I am taking my life, but I hope this video helps explain everything,” Ananthu says in the video message.
View this post on Instagram
In his suicide note, Ananthu alleged that sexual abuse began when he was four years old and continued over several years. He described the deep psychological trauma he suffered and claimed that other minors had also been exploited within RSS branches.
Ananthu also noted that the person who had harmed him in his youth is now married and seemingly unaware of the trauma he endured. Despite his suffering, he expressed heartfelt appreciation for his mother and sister, whose support gave him strength through his struggles.
In his final message, he expressed extreme anguish, stating that there was no organisation in the world he despised more and warning others against befriending RSS members, whom he described as venomous people.
In the video, Ananthu says that someone familiar from his neighbourhood subjected him to repeated abuse from around the age of three or four—an experience he only later recognised as sexual in nature.
As a child, he said he could barely remember who abused him at the RSS camp, noting that many other children were also victims. The neighbour he named, NM, Nitheesh Muraleesharan, is also an RSS activist.
Ananthu’s cousin said the family did not want to blame an entire organisation for one person’s actions.
“We want justice for Ananthu, and the person responsible for taking his life must be punished under the law,” he told South First. He noted that the police have not yet taken the accused into custody, as they are still gathering details.
“However, we were informed earlier that the authorities have a clear lead on the suspect,” he said.
The family also stressed that they do not want the matter politicised. “We cannot bring him back, the loss is irreplaceable,” he said. Members from all parties, including CPI(M), Congress, BJP, and RSS activists, have visited the family home to extend their support.
Sherly Lambi, Elikkulam Panchayat member, told South First that Nitheesh Muraleesharan, a former neighbour of Ananthu, is suspected, but police have not yet taken him into custody.
Earlier today, reports said Thampanoor Police have identified “NM,” named in Ananthu’s suicide note, as Nitheesh Muraleesharan, an active RSS leader known to the family.
Police are now investigating the RSS branch Ananthu attended during his childhood and recording statements from relatives to trace the accused’s involvement and any wider network linked to the case.
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining the accused’s connections and possible involvement in broader abuses.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
