Influencer Esha’s Death Leads to Arrests in Cyberbullying Incident

A significant development has occurred in the investigation of Rajeswary Appahu or “Esha,” a 30-year-old Malaysian social media influencer who took her own life due to cyberbullying. On July 8, 2024, a 35-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the online abuse that allegedly led to Esha’s tragic death.

Recent Arrest and Investigation Details

According to NST, Sentul police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari confirmed that the suspect was detained near Jalan Cempaka 2, Bukit Beruntung Golf Resort in Rawang. Prior to taking her own life on July 5th, Esha had made a police report at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur, revealing that she had been targeted with vulgar comments, defamatory statements, and severe threats, including threats of injury, rape, and death.

The investigation began with a report from a 39-year-old man and focused on posts from TikTok accounts “Dulal Brothers” and “Alphaquinnsha” that used Esha’s photos and abusive comments to harass her. These posts, made at 10:15 pm on June 30 and 4:10 am on July 1, were key to the case.

The 35-year-old suspect is in custody until July 10. Authorities are also seeking another individual involved in the case with assistance from the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission. Nine people, including some of Esha’s family members, have been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

Political and Legal Reactions

The arrest comes as people and politicians push for more action against cyberbullying. Segamat MP R. As Yuneswaran has been calling for stricter rules and urging the Communications and Digital Ministries to take stricter actions against online harassment.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil supported this call, announcing that a proposal to tackle cyberbullying will be presented to the cabinet. Fahmi, who attended Esha’s funeral, stressed the government’s commitment to fighting online abuse and urged the public to avoid posting harmful content.

The Heartbreaking Story of Esha

Esha’s death has highlighted the severe effects of cyberbullying in Malaysia. Known for being an activist and influencer, Esha faced relentless online harassment that ultimately led to her tragic end.

Influencer Arwind Kumar brought her story to light with a touching video that explained the relentless cyberbullying she faced. The video, which has over 1.4 million views, sparked a national discussion about the need for action against online harassment.

Cyberbullying’s Deadly Toll

Esha’s case is not isolated as a similar case has happened before. Sinar Daily reports that two years ago, a 44-year-old mother of three also took her life due to severe online harassment on TikTok. Her account had been flooded with hateful comments about her appearance and handbag collections.

These incidents have driven public figures and politicians to demand stricter measures to protect people from online abuse.

Watch the video here: