Kerala Man's Suicide After Viral Bus Harassment Video Ignites Debate on Social Media Vigilantism

By TCO News Desk 

Kochi, Kerala | January 19, 2026

A 42-year-old man from Kozhikode, Kerala, died by suicide on Sunday, just two days after a viral social media video accused him of sexual harassment on a crowded bus, plunging the state into a heated discourse on the perils of online "trials," mental health stigma, and the rush to judgment in the digital age.

Deepak U, a sales manager at a local textile firm and the sole breadwinner for his elderly parents, was found hanging in his Govindapuram residence around 7 a.m. on January 18. His parents, who discovered the body after repeated unanswered knocks, told police that Deepak had been inconsolable since the video surfaced, refusing food for two days amid relentless online trolling and public shaming. "He was innocent. He couldn't bear the humiliation," Deepak's father said, vowing to file a formal complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for justice.

The controversy erupted on January 16 when Shimjitha Musthafa, a 30-something consultant psychologist and commerce lecturer from Kozhikode, boarded a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus en route to Kannur for work. In a clip that amassed over 2 million views across platforms, Shimjitha filmed Deepak standing nearby in the packed vehicle. She later alleged that, as he alighted at a bus stand, his elbow intentionally "grazed" her chest—a "sexual boundary violation," in her words—after she had begun recording upon noticing him allegedly making another female passenger uncomfortable.

"I started taking a selfie video, and he saw me doing it. At the bus stand, when the bus became less crowded, I switched on the video again, and he intentionally grazed me," Shimjitha told media outlets, standing firmly by her claims despite viewer backlash labeling the contact as accidental amid the jostling crowd. She expressed shock at the outcome, stating, "I did not expect he would die by suicide," and has since deleted the original video while making a follow-up explanatory clip private.

Kozhikode police have registered the death as unnatural and plan to record statements from Deepak's relatives and Shimjitha as part of the probe. No charges have been filed yet, but the incident has drawn sharp intervention from activists. Prominent men's rights advocate Rahul Easwar lodged a formal complaint with Kerala Police, accusing Shimjitha of abetment to suicide and demanding accountability for what he called a "publicity stunt." "Deepak was the sole breadwinner of his family. To ensure that tomorrow a woman does not create content out of any of us and falsely accuse us of sexual harassment, we must fight today," Easwar said in a widely shared video.

Deepak's loved ones painted a picture of a man shattered by the viral storm. A close friend recounted, "That video hurt him. I want to say to people who post such videos online: Don't play with anyone's life. Don't post or share such things without knowing the truth." Relatives emphasized his unblemished character, noting he had steered clear of controversies and was a devoted family man.

The tragedy has unleashed a torrent of reactions on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForDeepak and #EndSocialMediaTrials trending across X (formerly Twitter). Users decried the video as "misleading" and "staged for views," with one post lamenting, "Social media trial killed a youth... Prima facie, it seems to be a publicity-driven act." Another called it a "heartbreaking tragedy," urging, "His family deserves answers, and we need accountability for social media trials."

Men's rights groups have seized the moment to amplify calls for a national Men's Rights Commission, arguing that false accusations exacerbate mental health crises among men. "This is extremely painful. Deepak could not tolerate the public shame and character assassination in front of his children and family members," tweeted activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh, demanding a thorough investigation.

Yet, the debate isn't one-sided. Supporters of Shimjitha argue that harassment in public transport remains a pervasive issue in India, and victims should not be silenced by backlash. "Inappropriate touching is harassment and should be brought to police notice immediately," read a Reddit thread discussing the case, though many conceded the video's ambiguity. Women's safety advocates have urged a balanced approach, emphasizing due process over mob justice in both directions.

This incident echoes a string of cases where social media amplifies unverified claims, often with devastating consequences. In Kerala, a state lauded for high literacy but grappling with rising cyberbullying, the death has prompted soul-searching. Mental health experts warn that public shaming can trigger severe distress, particularly among those unaccustomed to online scrutiny.

As investigations unfold, the case underscores the urgent need for platforms to curb misinformation and for society to prioritize empathy alongside accountability. "Trial by social media" may deliver swift outrage, but as Deepak U's story tragically illustrates, it can exact an irreversible toll.

Police have urged the public to refrain from speculation, promising a fair inquiry. Deepak's family, meanwhile, mourns a life cut short, pleading for closure in a narrative that began with a bump on a bus and ended in irreversible sorrow.