A tragic incident in Kerala’s Kozhikode district has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the impact of viral accusations on social media. Deepak, a 41-year-old resident of Govindapuram, was found hanging in his home around 7 am on Sunday, just days after a video accusing him of alleged misconduct on a bus went viral online.
According to police, a case of unnatural death has been registered. However, the circumstances leading to Deepak’s death have triggered strong reactions from his family, friends, and activists, who are demanding a detailed and impartial investigation.
Asgar Ali, a close friend of Deepak, told the media that Deepak was deeply shaken after learning about the video and had been considering legal action against the woman YouTuber who shot and shared it. Asgar said he was the first to inform Deepak about the video, adding that Deepak appeared completely unaware of any such incident.
“He was shocked when I told him,” Asgar said. “If he had done something wrong, he would have remembered it. He was extremely disturbed after the video spread.”
Asgar recalled that the two spoke at length on Saturday night, just hours before Deepak’s death. During that conversation, Deepak reportedly expressed confidence in his innocence and said they should meet a lawyer to file a complaint against the woman who made the allegations. Asgar also urged the police to act swiftly, claiming the woman was planning to go abroad.
The controversy began on Friday when a woman posted a video on social media alleging that Deepak deliberately touched her with sexual intent while travelling on a bus. The video quickly spread across platforms, triggering intense online debate and public condemnation. Amid the growing backlash, the woman later deleted the original video and uploaded another clip explaining why she had shared it.
Despite the clarification, Deepak’s family maintains that the viral spread of the accusation caused severe mental distress and public humiliation. Following his death, family members submitted complaints to the Kozhikode District Police Chief and the District Collector, seeking a comprehensive probe into the events that led to the tragedy.
Several activists and concerned citizens have also approached the State Police Chief and district authorities, demanding that all aspects of the case be thoroughly examined. They have questioned why no case has yet been registered against the woman, even as the impact of the viral content on the deceased is being widely discussed.
Police officials have confirmed that they are collecting statements and examining digital evidence related to the video. They said further action would depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
The incident has reignited a broader debate in Kerala over social media vigilantism, digital responsibility, and the dangers of public trials conducted online. Legal experts have cautioned that while allegations of misconduct must be taken seriously, unverified accusations circulated widely on social media can have irreversible consequences.
As the investigation continues, Deepak’s death stands as a grim reminder of the human cost behind viral controversies, with many calling for stronger safeguards, responsible content creation, and strict adherence to due process before individuals are judged in the court of public opinion.
A 41-year-old man in Kozhikode died by suicide days after a viral video accused him of misconduct on a bus. Friends say he planned legal action and maintained his innocence. His family and activists are demanding a thorough investigation, while police probe the circumstances surrounding the viral video and its impact on his death.