Kerala Police have taken social media vlogger Shimjitha Musthafa into custody on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in connection with the suicide of a 42-year-old man named Deepak, according to Mathrubhumi.
The arrest follows a massive public outcry after Deepak took his life on January 18, allegedly due to cyber humiliation caused by a viral video Shimjitha posted.
Authorities apprehended the vlogger in Kozhikode after she had reportedly been absconding for several days following the registration of an abetment to suicide case. The police are now investigating whether the viral allegations were a deliberate attempt at character assassination.
Viral Reel To Legal Action
The tragedy began when Shimjitha uploaded a reel on Instagram alleging that Deepak had misbehaved with her during a bus journey. The video quickly garnered millions of views, leading to an intense “social media trial” and public shaming of the 42-year-old sales manager.
Two days after the video went viral, Deepak was found dead in his home, leaving behind a family who maintains that the false accusations and the resulting digital onslaught drove him to despair.
While Shimjitha initially defended her actions in a follow-up video, she deleted her accounts and went into hiding once the police registered a case under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police Probe
The investigation gained significant momentum after the Kerala State Human Rights Commission intervened, demanding a report from the District Police Chief. Police officials confirmed that Shimjitha was tracked using digital surveillance after her anticipatory bail prospects looked slim.
Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from the bus and recorded statements from the bus conductor, who reportedly claimed he was unaware of any misconduct during the journey mentioned by the vlogger.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that digital platforms should be used to seek justice, not to dispense it through mob mentality. This incident is a harrowing reminder of how “cancel culture” and viral shaming can have fatal real-world consequences before the truth is ever established.
While it is vital to protect the safety of women in public spaces, it is equally crucial to uphold the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
We advocate for a society where allegations are reported to the authorities for a fair trial rather than being weaponized for social media engagement. True justice requires patience, evidence, and empathy for all parties involved.
