Kerala bus harassment case: arrest over viral social-media video

The Kozhikode Medical College police on Wednesday arrested Shimjitha Musthafa, a Vadakara native who was booked earlier for abetting the unnatural death of Govindapuram native U. Deepak after a video she shot went viral accusing Deepak of sexual misconduct on a bus. The 35-year-old, who had been absconding after the case was registered, was detained from a relative's house in Vadakara and remanded in judicial custody. A lookout circular had been issued against her as the legal proceedings continue. The phone used to capture the video is set to be examined as part of gathering more scientific evidence. In a preliminary inspection, authorities found the video to have been edited prior to its circulation on social media. Investigators also recorded statements from the victim’s parents and the bus workers who were on duty during the journey. The bus workers stated there were no complaints of sexual harassment from the woman against Deepak during the trip. Ms. Musthafa had filed an anticipatory bail petition with Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court. Deepak was found dead at his residence near Govindapuram in Kozhikode city on January 18. The video alleging harassment was shot on January 16 during a bus journey to Kannur. There was a large protest across the state and in social media demanding legal action against the accused, with several accounts linked to her being shut down. Expressing solidarity with the victim’s family, a YouTuber and founder of a advocacy group said a new 24x7 helpline would be set up to assist those affected.

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