Shimjitha granted bail in bus harassment-linked suicide case

Kozhikode: Shimjitha Musthafa, arrested in connection with the suicide of Deepak of Govindapuram, has been granted bail by the Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court.

Bail on these conditions

The court granted bail on two sureties of ₹50,000 each. Conditions include appearing before the investigating officer on the second and fourth Friday of every month, refraining from influencing witnesses, and avoiding involvement in similar criminal activities.

Shimjitha had approached the Principal Sessions Court after the Kunnamangalam Magistrate Court rejected her earlier bail plea.

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The prosecution argued that bail should not be granted until forensic examination results from Shimjitha’s laptop and phone were received. However, the defence contended that she had already spent 21 days in custody and should not remain in remand until the forensic results were finalised.

Shimjitha was arrested on charges of abetting suicide following a complaint filed by Deepak’s parents. The family alleged that defamatory posts shared by Shimjitha on Instagram were the reason behind Deepak’s decision to take his own life.

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Shimjitha had circulated a video alleging that Deepak sexually assaulted a woman on a bus. However, the police stated that no formal complaint was filed regarding this incident.

Deepak is believed to have committed suicide soon after the video went viral. Following the registration of a case in connection with the incident, Shimjitha went into hiding. She was eventually apprehended by police in Vadakara on 21 January, and was subsequently produced in court and remanded.