Fatal Viral Allegation: Kerala Influencer Arrested Following Accused Man’s Suicide

The chain of events began on January 16, when Musthafa shared an 18-second video recorded aboard a crowded public bus. In the clip, she identified a passenger named Deepak, alleging that he had deliberately molested her during the commute. The video, which quickly garnered significant traction across social media platforms, triggered a wave of public shaming and digital outrage against Deepak. However, the narrative shifted drastically following Deepak’s death on January 18. His grieving family maintains that the encounter was entirely accidental, caused by the heavy jostling of passengers in the overcrowded vehicle—a claim they say is supported by extended footage of the journey. They contend that the weight of the public humiliation and the sudden, widespread vilification drove the father of two to take his own life.

In the wake of the suicide, law enforcement moved swiftly to investigate the circumstances surrounding the influencer’s post. Following her arrest, Musthafa was produced before a magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Forensic experts are currently examining the digital evidence to determine if the video was selectively edited or if it misrepresented the sequence of events. While the arrest has sparked protests from some segments of the public, authorities have remained firm, emphasizing that grievances must be addressed through formal legal channels rather than through the lens of a smartphone camera.

This case serves as a harrowing reminder of the precarious nature of social media justice and the irreversible damage caused by "cancel culture" when divorced from due process. As the investigation continues, the incident has prompted a broader conversation regarding the responsibility of content creators and the legal repercussions of using digital platforms to bypass the rule of law. The tragedy in Kozhikode underscores a growing necessity for a more measured approach to online allegations, as the community mourns a life lost to the relentless speed of viral outrage.