Accused in Kerala suicide case arrested from Vadakara

Kozhikode: Shimjitha Musthafa, the main accused in the suicide case of 42-year-old sales manager U Deepak, was arrested on Wednesday from a relative’s house in Vadakara after a multi-day police search.

Her arrest came after the police issued a lookout circular to prevent her from leaving the country. Shimjitha, a 35-year-old social media content creator and former panchayat member, had been absconding after the case was registered.

The case dates back to January 16, when Shimjitha allegedly recorded and shared a video during a bus journey to Payyannur, accusing Deepak of sexual misconduct. The video went viral on Instagram and Facebook, drawing over two million views and leading to widespread online harassment of Deepak. Two days later, on January 18, he was found dead at his residence in Govindapuram, with investigators suspecting suicide due to severe mental distress.

Deepak’s mother, Kanyaka, later filed a complaint claiming that the allegations made in the video were false and were aimed at gaining social media attention. She told the police that her son had been deeply traumatised by the public humiliation and had expressed a sense of hopelessness before his death, TNIE reported.

Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide. Kanyaka has since appealed for strict legal action, stating that no parent should have to endure such a loss and insisting that the accused should not be granted bail easily and should face punishment proportionate to the offence.

Investigators said Shimjitha had shifted locations from her residence in Chorode to a relative’s house in Vadakara to evade arrest. A special police team took her into custody at around 10.30 am and later conducted a mandatory medical examination at Koyilandy Taluk Hospital, reportedly avoiding public and media attention.

The investigation is now focused on recovering her mobile phone to determine whether the viral video had been edited or manipulated. Meanwhile, public anger has continued to grow, with local residents and political workers gathering outside the police station and demanding stricter charges, including murder.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has also stepped in, directing the North Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report on the probe within a week. Police officials said they remain alert to prevent any law and order issues as questioning continues and digital evidence is collected.

Shimjitha is likely to be produced before the Kunnamangalam court later on Wednesday.