Guest Lecturer’s Suicide Case: Boyfriend Arrested After CCTV Footage of Assault Surfaces

Kannur: A 28-year-old guest lecturer associated with Kannur University, Adithya Anilkumar of Panoor, died after a suicide attempt allegedly linked to sustained emotional distress arising from her relationship with her boyfriend, Sharan. According to police records and family allegations, the accused had allegedly assaulted her at the Thalassery old bus stand on 8 June. Subsequently, investigators obtained CCTV footage purportedly showing the assault.  

The victim was found hanging at her residence on 14 June and was admitted to hospital, where she later died during treatment. Her mother lodged a complaint alleging that the assault and subsequent harassment caused severe mental trauma that led to the suicide attempt. Police later arrested Sharan and remanded him to judicial custody. Reports indicate that investigators are examining allegations of both physical assault and mental harassment in the course of the relationship.  

Legal Significance 

This case raises important questions regarding criminal liability for conduct that allegedly drives a person to take their own life. If the investigation establishes that the accused’s acts of assault, intimidation, humiliation, or sustained harassment directly contributed to the victim’s decision to attempt suicide, the offence of abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) may be attracted.  

Additionally, the alleged physical attack at the bus stand may constitute offences relating to voluntarily causing hurt (Sections 115/117 BNS, depending on the nature and extent of injuries). If evidence reveals repeated threats, coercion, stalking, or intentional acts aimed at causing mental distress, other relevant provisions of the BNS concerning criminal intimidation, harassment, or related offences may also be considered during investigation. The CCTV footage reportedly recovered by police could serve as significant corroborative evidence regarding the alleged assault.  

📰 Source: Manorama Online (English)