‘Her 9,250 followers became 11.4K’: Sai Krishna slams viral video culture after suicide incident

Kozhikode: YouTuber and Bigg Boss participant Sai Krishna has criticised social media reactions following the death of a 40-year-old man in Kozhikode, who allegedly died by suicide after a woman posted a video accusing him of sexual harassment on a bus.

Speaking about the incident, Sai Krishna urged social media users not to follow or amplify the woman’s account.
"Malayalis have reached out to her. Why are you following her? What is your intention? If you go to the account to comment, the comment box is restricted. The bus video is not there; only explanatory content exists. If her reach is your goal, do not allow it. If anyone has taken a loan or fixed deposit, men should buy a car or bike. Do not stand in the bus. When women are also present, fold your hands or keep them inside your shirt while travelling. I will do the same now,” he said in a video shared on his Instagram handle. 

He also highlighted the spike in the woman’s followers after the man’s death, "Her Instagram account had 9,250 followers at the time of posting the video. After Deepak’s death, it rose to 11,400."

The deceased, Deepak, a native of Govindapuram in Kozhikode, was found hanging at his residence early Sunday morning. Police said his parents were at home at the time. When he did not respond to repeated calls, neighbours were alerted, and the door was forced open.

The incident came to light after the woman shared a video alleging that the man had deliberately touched her with sexual intent while travelling on a crowded bus from Payyannur railway station to the bus stand. The video went viral, garnering over 20 lakh views, triggering an intense online debate.

Relatives and friends said the man was under severe mental stress after the video went viral. His family alleged that he was subjected to character assassination online and maintained that he was a quiet person who generally avoided controversies.

The Kozhikode Medical College police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation. Further legal steps will be taken after examining all circumstances, including the viral social media content.