The police on Monday registered a case against a woman in connection with the suicide of a 42-year-old man in Kerala after she posted a video on Instagram accusing him of sexual harassment during a bus ride, officials said.
The Kozhikode Medical College police registered the case against the 35-year-old woman under charges of abetment to suicide, an officer said.
About the case
Deepak, a native of Puthiyara who resided in Govindhapuram, Kozhikode, worked at a textile firm. On Sunday, January 18, he was found hanging in his room.
Upon inquiry, it was discovered that he was reportedly distressed after a video of him went viral online, accusing him of sexual harassment against a woman during a bus journey.
The woman had posted the video on her Instagram handle. On Friday, Deepak had travelled to Kannur on a transport bus for work purposes.
The woman, who was travelling on the same bus, allegedly recorded a video and accused Deepak of sexual harassment. As shown in the clip, the man’s elbow was slightly brushing against the woman’s chest on the crowded bus.
While many viewers dismissed her allegations as a natural hand movement due to the crowd, she stood by her allegation, terming the behaviour a “sexual boundary violation".
Initially, the police had registered a case of unnatural death. However, based on a complaint by the deceased’s family members, a fresh case was registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), said the police.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has also ordered a police probe into the incident, directing the North Zone Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police to submit a report within a week.
