A verdict is expected today on the bail plea of Shimjitha Mustafa before the Kunnamangalam First Class Magistrate Court in a case concerning a youth’s suicide allegedly linked to the circulation of a defamatory video on social media.

The court had reserved its order after completing detailed arguments on the bail application. In a report submitted to the court, the police stated that granting bail could allow the accused to influence witnesses. The Medical College Police noted that the investigation is still at an early stage and reiterated concerns about possible interference with the probe if bail is granted.

Findings so far

According to the investigation team, Shimjitha had filmed and circulated the video with the intention of subjecting the deceased to a public trial, and that the mental distress caused by the video led to Deepak taking his own life. Police are currently in the process of collecting witness statements and gathering further evidence.

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The defence, however, argued that Shimjitha had no prior acquaintance with Deepak and contended that the charge of abetment to suicide is unsustainable. Following these arguments, the court postponed its decision on the bail plea to Tuesday. Shimjitha is presently lodged at Manjeri Jail.

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Police have sent the mobile phone allegedly used to post the video for scientific examination. No application for custodial interrogation has been filed so far.

Another female in the video

Meanwhile, a female bus passenger has approached the police regarding the video circulated by Shimjitha. The complainant stated that she was also visible in the video and expressed concern that its circulation could lead to misunderstandings. She lodged a complaint with the Kannur City Cyber Police seeking the video’s removal. Subsequently, Deepak’s relatives filed a Right to Information application with the Kannur police, seeking details of this complaint.

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Deepak, a native of Govindapuram in Kozhikode, died by suicide after a young woman filmed and shared a video on social media accusing him of sexually assaulting her on a private bus in Payyanur.

(Suicide Is Not A Solution: If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you are worried about a friend, or you need emotional support, then there is someone who is always there to listen to you. Call the Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24x7) – or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline, at 9152987821 (available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm).