By Ananya Sharma 
Kozhikode, January 22: By the time the police arrested Shimjitha Musthafa, most people here were no longer surprised. They were just tired of waiting. For nearly a week, the same questions were being asked again and again. At tea shops. On buses. Outside police stations. Why is she not caught yet? Why is nothing happening? And above all, what about Deepak U?
Late on January 21, police finally picked Shimjitha up from a relative’s house in Vadakara. There was no drama. No chase. Just a quiet arrest, followed by tight security. She was produced before a magistrate and sent to 14 days of judicial custody at Manjeri sub jail.
For Deepak’s family, it was not justice. But it was something.
Where She Was Found And Why It Took Time
Police officers say Shimjitha did not stay in one place. She moved between relatives’ homes and avoided locations where she could be recognised. A lookout notice was issued early on, after officers feared she might try to leave the country.
The tip that finally led police to her came from Muttungal West in Vadakara. A small team went in quietly. Officers were clearly under instructions not to create a scene. By then, tempers were already high outside police stations.
After the arrest, she was taken to Koyilandy Taluk Hospital for a routine medical check. Even this short movement was done under heavy security. Police did not want crowds gathering or rumours spreading.
What The Police Are Actually Investigating
Shimjitha has been booked under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment to suicide. It is a serious, non-bailable offence. The complaint was filed by Deepak’s mother, Kanyaka, who has been firm and direct in what she wants.
Her claim is simple. She believes her son was humiliated publicly, targeted online, and mentally broken after a video involving him went viral. She has said more than once that it was not one incident, but what followed it, that destroyed him.
Police officials say the case is not being treated lightly. At the same time, they admit it is not an easy one to prove. Abetment cases depend on showing sustained mental pressure, not just outrage.
The Video That Triggered Everything
At the centre of the case is a video shot inside a bus. The clip spread rapidly on social media. Soon after, Deepak began facing mocking comments and abuse from people who had never met him.
Investigators are now trying to recover Shimjitha’s mobile phone, which is still missing. They want to know whether the video was edited or posted in a way that encouraged public harassment.
Police are also checking CCTV footage from the bus to see exactly what happened before the video appeared online. Officers say they want to match facts with claims, not rumours.
According to BBC News, the digital evidence is still being analysed, and no conclusions have been reached.
Human Rights Commission Steps In
As anger continued to grow, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission stepped in and asked the North Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report within one week.
The commission’s involvement has added pressure on the police to ensure the investigation is clean and thorough. Many see this case as an example of how easily online shaming can spiral out of control.
Public Anger Has Not Died Down
The arrest has not calmed the streets. In Kozhikode and Vadakara, people are still gathering, demanding stricter charges and faster action. Some are calling for murder charges.
Police presence has been increased around stations and courts. Officers say they understand the anger but warn that decisions will be made in court, not on the road.
Online, emotions remain raw. Support for Deepak’s family is strong. At the same time, a few are beginning to ask whether constant online outrage is itself becoming dangerous.
Families Caught In The Middle
The fallout has affected Shimjitha’s family as well. Her husband has faced severe backlash and, according to Onmanorama, has publicly distanced himself from the case.
Neighbours say the family has largely stayed indoors. Police have appealed to the public not to harass relatives, reminding people that harassment is also a crime.
Why This Case Feels Personal To Many
This case has struck a nerve because it feels close to home. A phone camera. A short video. A flood of comments. And a person who could not handle the weight of it all.
The law is still catching up with how damage happens online. Words and videos now travel faster than consequences.
For now, the investigation continues. Questioning, forensic checks, and court hearings lie ahead. For Deepak’s family, justice still feels uncertain. For everyone else, the case is a hard reminder that online cruelty does not disappear once the phone is put away.
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- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
- Ananya Sharmahttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ananya/
