Not long ago, our nation mourned the tragic death of a Malaysian TikToker who was also an activist, took her life due to cyberbullying.
On July 5, the 30-year-old victim, Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, was discovered dead in her apartment just a day after filing a police report against her cyberbullies.
Sentenced to 1 year in prison
B. Satishkumar, who worked as a lorry driver. was sentenced to 12 months in prison by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to sending obscene and insulting messages, as well as harassing the mother of the TikTok influencer.
As reported by Kosmo!, Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali meted out the sentence on the 44-year-old and ordered that his prison sentence begin from his arrest date on June 10.
According to the first charge, the accused initiated the transmission of obscene communication with the intent to cause distress to others.
This was carried out via TikTok using the profile @dulal_brothers_360 at a premise located on Jalan Ipoh, Sentul, at 10:12 p.m. on 30th June.
The charge was made under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and is punishable under subsection 233(3) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Additionally, Satishkumar could be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continued after conviction.
For the second charge, on the same date, time, and location, Satishkumar was accused of harassing and insulting the modesty of P. R. Puspa, 56, Esha’s mother, via TikTok using the same profile.
He was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd. Sabri Othman urged the court to impose a prison sentence, highlighting that the obscene language used in the TikTok broadcast demonstrated Satishkumar’s malicious intent to hurt the victim.
This case will serve as a reminder to the public about the use of obscene language on social media. Therefore, a custodial sentence is necessary,” he said.
However, Satishkumar appealed for a minimal sentence, citing his responsibility to care for his disabled wife and that he only earns RM1,200 per month.
Case background
According to the facts of the case, a member of the public came across the TikTok account @dulal_brothers_360 on June 30, which had used Esha’s image as a backdrop and made defamatory and abusive comments.
The accused had also issued threats of rape and murder towards the victim.
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