YouTuber Shimjitha arrested from relative's house for Deepak's suicide over viral video

Kozhikode: Police on Wednesday arrested social media influencer Shimjitha Musthafa, the prime accused in the case related to the suicide of Govindapuram native Deepak U.

A special team of the Medical College police took Shimjitha into custody from a relative’s house in Vatakara around noon. She was later taken to the Kozhikode Medical College police station after completing medical examination procedures at Koyilandi Taluk Hospital.

Deepak (41), a sales officer with a garment firm, was found hanging at his residence in Mankavu on Sunday morning. His death followed the circulation of a video posted by Shimjitha on social media, in which she alleged misconduct by him during a bus journey. The video went viral, triggering widespread public reaction.

Shimjitha, a former panchayat member from Areekode, is facing charges of abetment of suicide. She had earlier approached the Kozhikode District Magistrate Court seeking anticipatory bail. After police registered a case, she went absconding, prompting authorities to intensify the search. A lookout notice was also issued to prevent her from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, a group of BJP workers staged a protest in front of the Medical College police station, alleging that the police were attempting to protect Shimjitha by secretly transporting her in private vehicles. She is likely to be produced before the Kunnamangalam court.

Police said efforts are underway to recover Shimjitha’s mobile phone, which was allegedly used to record the original footage. Investigators believe the controversial video shared on social media was edited using multiple clips.

“We need to retrieve all the original videos to examine the content, verify whether the allegation of misconduct is true, and ascertain the intent behind recording and sharing the footage,” a senior police officer said. Police also plan to examine earlier videos posted by the vlogger to determine whether similar methods were used in the past.

Meanwhile, the All Kerala Men’s Association has approached the High Court seeking a CBI or Crime Branch probe into the case. 

After visiting Deepak’s house, Rahul Easwar, a representative of the association, said that ₹3.17 lakh had been handed over to the bereaved family as financial assistance.