A viral social media video from a public bus in Kerala has ended in tragedy. A man accused of inappropriate behaviour in the clip died by suicide in Kozhikode, sparking fresh debate over online shaming and social media trials.
The deceased, Deepak U (42), was a resident of Govindapuram in Kozhikode. He worked as a sales manager at a textile company. According to family members, he lived a quiet life and never faced such allegations earlier.
The incident occurred on January 16 while Deepak was travelling on a KSRTC bus. A woman passenger recorded a video, accusing him of sexually inappropriate behaviour. She later uploaded the clip on social media. Within hours, the video went viral and drew sharp public reactions.
Soon after, Deepak reportedly slipped into severe mental distress. He denied the allegations to his family. However, the widespread circulation of the video and public criticism deeply affected him. Relatives said he felt humiliated and emotionally broken.
On January 18, family members found Deepak hanging in his room. They immediately alerted locals and police, but he had already died. The incident shocked the neighbourhood and left the family devastated.
Kozhikode Medical College police registered a case of suspicious death and launched an investigation. Officers said they would examine the circumstances leading to the suicide. They will also probe how the video spread across social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the woman involved released another video defending her actions. She claimed Deepak touched her intentionally and said she had already filed a police complaint. Authorities stated that they would verify all claims during the investigation.
The case has triggered widespread discussion in Kerala. Many are now questioning the dangers of social media trials. Experts warn that unchecked online accusations can cause irreversible damage before facts are established.
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