Kerala Police Submit Detailed Remand Report in Kozhikode Suicide Abetment Case
In a significant development in the tragic case involving the death of Govindapuram native U Deepak, the Kozhikode police have submitted a comprehensive remand report to the Kunnamangalam court. The report focuses on the arrest of a woman from Vadakara, who was taken into custody on Wednesday on charges of abetment to suicide. According to police findings, the woman had recorded seven videos featuring Deepak in what they described as an unacceptable manner, which played a crucial role in the events leading to his demise.
Social Media Allegations and Mental Distress
The remand report details that prior to Deepak's death, the woman had posted a video on social media alleging sexual harassment by him during a private bus ride. This video quickly went viral, amassing over two million views within just two days, according to police accounts. The report states that Deepak took his own life amid severe mental distress and defamation resulting from the uploading of these visuals. Police noted that he feared viewers would portray him as a sexual pervert, contributing to his extreme emotional turmoil.
CCTV Footage Contradicts Harassment Claims
In a key finding, the police report highlights that an examination of CCTV footage from the private bus—where the videos were allegedly recorded—showed Deepak and the woman boarding and alighting from the bus in a normal manner. The report emphasizes that nothing unusual occurred during the journey, and the bus crew provided statements confirming they did not notice any sexual harassment bid inside the vehicle. This evidence appears to contradict the woman's allegations of inappropriate touching during the ride at Payyannur in Kannur.
Police Investigation and Forensic Analysis
The remand report further reveals that police are seeking to conduct a detailed forensic examination of the woman's mobile phone. This process aims to recover her deleted Instagram and Facebook accounts, which could provide additional insights into the case. Additionally, the police team has yet to record statements from other passengers who traveled with them on the bus named Al Ameen, indicating that the investigation is ongoing.
Background of the Accused and Lack of Complaint
The report describes the woman as highly educated, holding a postgraduate degree and having served as a former member of the Areekode panchayat. It asserts that she was aware that circulating such videos could cause mental trauma and potentially drive a person to commit suicide. Notably, the report points out that despite claiming to have had a bad experience inside the bus, the woman did not lodge a complaint at Vadakara or Payyannur police stations, raising questions about her actions.
Family Complaint and Arrest Details
Deepak's mother, K Kanyaka, filed a complaint with the district police chief, alleging that her son died due to mental trauma after the woman raised false allegations. Following this, the woman went into hiding when police attempted to contact her for a statement. She was later arrested from the house of a relative on Wednesday, as confirmed in the remand report. Deepak, who worked as a sales executive with a textile firm, was filmed during the bus journey last Friday, with the video later shared on social media, sparking widespread attention and controversy.
