Bail Plea of Shimjitha to Be Heard Today in Deepak's Suicide Linked to Viral Bus Video

Kozhikode: The bail application of Shimjitha, who was arrested in connection with the suicide of a young man after a video alleging sexual harassment on a bus went viral, will be considered today. The Kunnamangalam court will hear the bail plea.

There are indications that Shimjitha will reiterate her allegation that sexual harassment had taken place. However, according to the police report, CCTV visuals from the bus do not show any abnormal behaviour, nor is there evidence of an attempt at sexual assault or any physical misconduct by the deceased. The report states that Deepak died by suicide due to mental distress. The prosecution is expected to base its arguments on these findings.

Police found that Shimjitha had recorded around seven videos featuring Deepak on the bus using her mobile phone and had shared them on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The videos were circulated without filing any complaint with the police. The report notes that the accused was a member of the Areekode Panchayat in Malappuram and was therefore a person with adequate awareness of the law. It also states that she had clear knowledge of the need to respect an individual’s right to privacy.

Shimjitha is a League leader from Vadakara and a former member of the Areekode Panchayat. She had been absconding after a case was registered against her on charges of abetment to suicide. She was arrested by the Kozhikode Medical College Police from a relative’s house in Vadakara and was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days after being produced in court. She is currently lodged in the Manjeri Women’s Jail.