Kuala Lumpur: A 43-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were charged in court today over the cyberbullying of TikTok influencer A Rajeswary, better known as Esha.
B Sathiskumar, a lorry driver, was accused of intentionally making obscene remarks with the intention of hurting others through his TikTok account, Dulal Brothers 360. The offence was allegedly committed at 10.12pm on June 30, with the remarks read in Sentul.
He pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him before sessions court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.
The charge was framed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for the misuse of network facilities, punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
In a separate court, P Shalini was slapped with a RM100 fine after pleading guilty to engaging in insulting behaviour with the intention of inciting anger and disrupting peace.
Magistrate MS Arunjothy meted out the sentence after Shalini made the plea in the magistrates’ court.
Shalini, who works at an old folks’ home, was accused of making insulting remarks through her TikTok account, alphaquinnsha, at 4am on July 1.
Her charge was framed under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 which provides for a maximum fine of RM100.
Rajeswary, 29, was found dead at her home in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, on July 5. The Hindu rights activist had filed a police report the day before against two people for allegedly harassing her on TikTok.
Sathiskumar also claimed trial to a separate charge of humiliating another woman named R Puspa through the same TikTok account.
The second charge was framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting the modesty of a person, punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Sabri Othman asked the court to impose a high bail amount to ensure Sathiskumar’s attendance throughout the trial and taking into consideration that Rajeswary had suffered severe depression and was found dead after the accused posted the remarks.
The court allowed him bail of RM18,000 with one surety for each charge. He was also ordered to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case.
Sathiskumar was unrepresented but told the court that he would hire a lawyer.
The court fixed Aug 16 for mention.
