Kerala influencer suicide: Teen's friend held under Pocso

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Poojappura police have arrested a teenager in connection with the death of an 18-year-old student and social media influencer. The arrested person is a 19-year-old Nedumangad native, who is also a social media influencer and the girl's friend.
Poojappura inspector of police Sreejith C said the accused has been booked under Pocso Act as he had a physical relationship with the girl when she was a minor.The girl turned 18 on Feb 28.
The girl had attempted suicide on June 10 and died while undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital on Sunday night.
The accused was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon following a complaint from the victim's parents.
Poojappura police had earlier registered a case of unnatural death as per Section 174 of CrPc Act. Police are likely to charge abetment of suicide against the youth as per IPC Section 306.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the girl's relationship with the youth may have influenced the events leading to her death.
Police report suggests that after their relationship ended, the girl faced cyberattack. There were speculations that she committed suicide due to depression after failing in the Class XII examination.
However, a police probe revealed that it was due to the breakup in her relationship and the cyberattacks that followed that she took the extreme step. Her Instagram account, which had over 1,00,000 followers, revealed numerous comments highlighting the cyberbullying she had faced.
A suicide note recovered by the police expressed her wish for her parents and brother to be always happy.
Suicides are preventable and help is just a phone call away. Those in distress can call Maitri at 0484-2540530 or Emergency Medical Services at 0471- 2552056.