‘To prove his innocence, he gave his life’: Bhagyalakshmi speaks out on social media trials after man’s death following viral harassment video

Dubbing artist and actress Bhagyalakshmi has reacted strongly to the tragic death of a young man following a viral harassment video, raising serious concerns about social media trials and the absence of accountability in online outrage.In a social media post, Bhagyalakshmi noted that once an allegation spreads online, a life can quietly crumble. She stressed that while the guilty must face punishment and the innocent deserve justice, the failure to ensure either turns public judgement into a moral collapse rather than justice.Bhagyalakshmi addressed the issue through two detailed posts. In the first, she shared the controversial clip and wrote, “Groping and jostling are experienced by most women who travel by bus. Many respond loudly; some retaliate physically. Others move away in fear.” She further questioned why, if the woman was certain of misconduct, the same courage shown in recording the video was not used to confront the act directly.She added that when someone is touched inappropriately, it usually reflects clearly in their expressions and behaviour. “But in this video, what was the real intention of the woman who records the video without any change in expression?” Bhagyalakshmi asked, pointing to the ambiguity surrounding the incident.Her second post came after learning about the young man’s death. “To prove or convince others of one’s innocence, a person ends up having to give his life,” she wrote. According to her, had he lived, social media would have remained divided, but the immediate online abuse following the video pushed him beyond endurance.She stated that responsibility lay not only with the accuser but also with those who attacked the man online without knowing the full truth. “Judging others before even hearing about it in detail is common on social media,” she noted, criticising platforms that encourage sensationalism for virality.The case relates to Deepak, a native of Kozhikode, who was found hanging in his bedroom early Sunday morning. A video shared by a woman from Vadakara accused him of inappropriate behaviour on a bus in Payyannur. Following the incident, the Medical College Police registered a case of unnatural death, as questions continue to be raised about online trials and their real-world consequences.