A 42-year-old man in Kerala allegedly died by suicide after a video accusing him of sexual harassment on a local bus surfaced on social media and went viral, police said on Sunday.

Found dead at home

The deceased, identified as Deepak U, was a resident of Govindhapuram in Kozhikode. According to police, he was found hanging in his room when his parents attempted to wake him up around 7 am. After repeated knocks and calls went unanswered, neighbours were alerted and the door was forced open, only to find him dead.

Family alleges mental stress

Family members told police that Deepak had been under severe mental stress after a video posted on social media accused him of inappropriate behaviour during a bus journey. The clip reportedly garnered more than 20 lakh views, exposing him to intense online scrutiny and abuse.

Relatives alleged that the viral video led to character assassination and cyber harassment, which he found difficult to cope with. They described him as someone who had stayed away from controversies throughout his life.

Allegations in viral video

The video, which surfaced a few days ago, showed a woman claiming that Deepak had allegedly touched her inappropriately multiple times while travelling on a crowded bus from Payyannur railway station to a bus stand. Following its circulation, both the man and the woman became targets of online trolling, according to sources.

As of now, there has been no public response from the woman after the man’s death.

Police probe underway

Police have registered a case of unnatural death under relevant provisions and said a detailed investigation is underway to examine the circumstances leading to the incident, including the impact of social media harassment.

Authorities urged restraint and responsibility on social media, stressing that investigations must follow due process and that online abuse can have grave consequences.

If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress, help is available. In India, suicide prevention helplines such as Aasra (91-9820466726) and Kiran (1800-599-0019) offer confidential support