Kerala: Deepak dies; Shimjitha’s phone will be sent for scientific examination

KOZHIKODE: Police will soon file a custody application for Shimjitha Mustafa. Shimjitha is the accused in the incident in which a young man committed suicide after a video of an alleged sexual assault on a bus went viral on social media. Shimjitha, who was hiding at her sister’s house in Muttangal West, Vadakara, was arrested yesterday afternoon by the Kozhikode Medical College police. She was arrested in connection with the suicide of Deepak of Kozhikode.

Although she maintains her sexual assault allegation, police have not found any evidence or statements to substantiate it. Police may collect statements from staff and passengers on the bus where the incident occurred and take further action. Police will send her mobile phone, which was used to record the video, for scientific examination. Shimjitha is attempting to file a bail application in the Kunnamangalam court today.

Shimjitha had gone into hiding after a case of abetment to suicide was registered based on Deepak’s mother’s complaint. Police had also issued a lookout notice against her because she had foreign connections. She was arrested during the investigation following a tip-off that she was in Vadakara. Police found that the video shared by Shimjitha had been edited and shortened. CCTV footage of the bus was also collected. Deepak’s family demanded that Shimjitha be charged under the IT Act and other sections. She had posted the video on Instagram last Friday, which she had shot during a bus journey to Payyannur.