The All Kerala Men’s Association has filed a plea before the Kerala High Court seeking an investigation by an independent agency into the alleged suicide of Govindapuram native U. Deepak, following the circulation of a video by a social media influencer accusing him of sexual harassment on a moving bus in Kannur earlier this month.
The influencer, Shimjitha Mustafa of Vadakara, was subsequently arrested and remanded in judicial custody after her bail plea was rejected.
In its plea, the association alleged that Ms. Shimjitha circulated the video without any verification, purely for online gratification. This, it claimed, led to Deepak taking his own life as he was unable to bear the public humiliation and character assassination he faced.
Citing the rampant rise in fake news, morphed content, and defamatory material circulated for online attention, association president Ajithkumar C. submitted that the local police lack the requisite expertise to investigate such cases. Consequently, the ongoing police probe lacks credibility, given the gravity of the allegations that preceded Deepak’s suicide, the role of social media, and the surrounding circumstances. The plea further contended that Ms. Shimjitha ought to have been charged with murder, instead of merely abetment to suicide, and therefore sought an investigation by an independent agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation or the Crime Branch.
The association also stated that it had submitted a representation to the State Police Chief seeking the registration of a murder charge against the vlogger and appropriate action against those responsible for uploading and circulating the video. It further urged the police to preserve all digital evidence for forensic examination. The matter has been posted for hearing on February 10.
According to the police remand report, seven videos were secretly filmed and edited with the intent to humiliate Deepak, causing him acute mental distress. Following his suicide, Ms. Shimjitha deleted her Instagram and Facebook accounts. Prior to doing so, she removed the original video and posted a follow-up clip explaining her reasons for sharing it.
Published – February 02, 2026 08:32 pm IST
