Kerala Bus Video Incident Explained: A Complete Timeline of Events 

The Kerala bus video incident has taken a tragic turn following the suicide of 42-year-old Deepak U, leading to the arrest of social media influencer Shimjitha Musthafa. The Kozhikode police apprehended Musthafa on January 21, 2026, from a relative’s house in Vadakara after she was booked for abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This case has sparked a nationwide debate on the fatal consequences of “social media trials” and the hunger for online fame.

Latest News on Robin Bus: Kerala MVD Seizes Vehicle Again Over Permit Violations

What happened in the Kerala bus incident?

The Kerala bus incident started on January 16, 2026, when a girl named Shimjitha Musthafa, a YouTuber from Vadakara and former panchayat member, was traveling on a private bus from Payyannur to Kannur. 

During the journey, Musthafa recorded a video of co-passenger Deepak U, alleging he had touched her inappropriately. Instead of reporting the matter to the bus conductor or local police, she uploaded the 18-second clip to her Instagram and Facebook accounts.

The video went viral almost instantly, amassing over 2.2 million views in just 48 hours. Deepak, a sales executive with a textile firm, was quickly labeled a “pervert” by thousands of netizens, leading to severe cyberbullying and public shaming.

Tragedy on a Birthday: The Suicide of Deepak U

The Kerala bus incident involving Deepak U reached a heartbreaking conclusion on January 18, 2026, which was also his 42nd birthday. Deeply traumatized by the viral allegations and the “character assassination” he faced, Deepak committed suicide. He was found dead at his home in Govindapuram, Kozhikode. 

His family revealed that he had not eaten for two days and was unable to face the public after the video surfaced. His mother, K. Kanyaka, maintained that her son was innocent and that the contact on the crowded bus was likely accidental, a claim supported by bus employees who stated that no complaint was raised during the journey. 

Deepak’s suicide sparked widespread public anger and an intense social media debate. Following his death, the Kerala bus video incident girl, Shimjitha Musthafa, deleted the original video. She uploaded a new video accusing Deepak of inappropriate sexual behavior. “It was neither an accident nor a misunderstanding. He deliberately crossed the sexual boundary,” she said.

Deepak’s mother filed a police complaint, after which authorities registered a case against Musthafa and added a non-bailable offence for alleged abetment of suicide.

The Arrest of Shimjitha Musthafa and Legal Charges

The Kozhikode Medical College police registered a case against the influencer. Following public backlash, Shimjitha Musthafa went into hiding and deactivated her social media profiles, prompting the police to issue a lookout circular. 

She was finally arrested from her relative’s place on January 21 at Vadakara, Kerala. 

• Arrest Date: January 21, 2026.
• Location of Arrest: Vadakara, Kerala.
• Legal Charges: Section 108 of the BNS (Abetment of Suicide).
• Current Status: Musthafa has been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days and sent to the Manjeri Special Sub Jail.

Investigators are now focusing on whether the video was edited to frame Deepak and why the influencer chose to air the grievance on social media rather than following legal procedures.

KSRTC to Launch Dedicated Pilgrimage Tourism Services Across Kerala

Who is Shimjitha Musthafa- the Girl from the Kerala bus incident?

Shimjitha Musthafa, 35, is a former local self-government representative from Kerala and a social media content creator. She holds a postgraduate degree in Commerce along with a Bachelor of Education (BEd). A native of Vadakara in Kozhikode district, she is married to Musthafa, also known as Babu, who operates a hair salon in Areekode.

Shimjitha was elected as a panchayat member from Areekode in Malappuram district as a candidate of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) during the 2020 local body elections. Subsequently, she relocated to Dubai, where she began creating digital content and vlogging on social media platforms. 

Her transition into full-time influencer activity reportedly prompted her political party to seek her resignation from the elected position.

The Outcry Against “Social Media Trials”

The incident triggered a sharp debate on the limits of social media activism and the dangers of what critics call “digital lynching. While some activists defended filming harassment as a form of self-protection, others argued that the pursuit of views and followers turned an ambiguous, possibly accidental, encounter into a viral accusation.

Especially after Deepak’s suicide, the focus of the Kerala bus incident argument shifted from women’s safety to the responsibility of digital creators. Attention moved to how online accusations can cause irreversible damage before any formal inquiry.

Key Points in the Debate

• The “Social Media Courtroom”: Critics said social platforms acted as judge and jury, with the video crossing two million views and destroying reputations before an official investigation.
• Allegations of Views-Baiting: Deepak’s family and several users claimed the 18-second clip may have been edited or exaggerated, arguing the contact looked accidental due to overcrowding on the bus.
• Public Shaming and Its Impact: Men’s rights groups cited the case to highlight the mental toll of public accusations, saying fear of backlash has changed how men behave in crowded spaces.
• Distrust in Formal Systems: Supporters of the woman argued that viral documentation is often the only option when legal processes are slow or dismissive.
• Calls for Creator Accountability: The incident has intensified demands for stricter rules for influencers who post “naming and shaming” content without police verification.

The Kerala bus video incident has ignited massive protests across the state. Activists from the BJP and Youth Congress have condemned the act as “follower farming,” where influencers create controversial content to gain publicity.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the case, ordering a high-level probe by the North Zone DIG to be submitted within one week.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as and when more details become available.