Rajeswary Appahu was an outspoken activist, participating in the handing in of police reports against a Moroccan influencer and Chef Wan at the Sentul police headquarters on May 24. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, July 9, 2024
TikTok influencer’s death came after a month of cyberbullying, rape and death threats
Police reports, checks on social media, paint an ugly picture of what befell Rajeswary Appahu
9 July, 2024, 8:30 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – Before her death on July 5, 29-year-old TikTok influencer and activist Rajeswary Appahu endured online harassment for more than a month, according to one of the police reports she lodged.
In a report filed with the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, she complained of a TikTok account which not only threatened her safety but allegedly made defamatory statements against her.
Rajeswary, known online as Esha, said the TikToker known as the “Dulal Brothers” hosted a livestream on June 30 with around 700 viewers, where participants made rape and death threats against her.
In her police report sighted by Scoop, she described in detail the threats of violence made against her, adding that a TikTok user allegedly said he had gangsters who were willing to join in the attacks, as well as encourage others to sexually harass her.
When contacted, Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya told Scoop that his station received a report lodged by Rajeswary on June 30 and referred it to the Sentul police station.
Although the report makes reference to a TikTok livestream on June 30, the harassment against the influencer escalated more than a month ago.
On June 2, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth, posted excerpts of a TikTok live hosted by Rajeswary, where a man – who is now allegedly living in exile in Germany – entered the stream to make disparaging remarks against Islam.
Zamri later began a campaign on social media calling upon the public to lodge police reports against Rajeswary, which eventually led to her three-day remand before being released on June 28.
Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president Shashi Kumar told Scoop that the harassment against Rajeswary intensified after her release, with much of it being perpetuated by TikTok accounts such as Dulal Brothers and @alphaquinnsha.
“Esha was a strong and independent woman who was able to handle attacks against her ideologies. I believe she could have even handled being called up by the police.
“But after she was released, there were TikTokers who attacked her and her loved ones. That is what I think broke her. They resorted to name-calling and made threats against her.”
Shashi had previously supported Rajeswary in lodging a report against Moroccan influencer Abdellatif Ouisa over his TikTok video of him reciting Quranic verses on Islam’s prohibition against idolatry while standing in front of the Lord Muruga statue at Batu Caves.
A check by Scoop found that a slew of TikTok users had harassed Rajeswary online, with at least one user intending to mentally torture the influencer.
On July 8, Sentul police chief Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari confirmed in a statement that threats were made against the influencer via TikTok on June 30 and July 1.
“Both accounts used her photo as background for their video content. The video also contains rude and vulgar threats towards Rajeswary as well as rude and vulgar words.”
The police mentioned that the TikTok accounts involved were Dulal Brothers and @alphaquinnsha.
Authorities also arrested a 35-year-old woman on July 8 at her home in Rawang, Selangor over her involvement in the case and will remain in remand until July 10 to assist with investigations.
After Rajeswary’s death, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet is set to discuss cyberbullying matters on Friday, exploring various angles including legal frameworks.
He said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally requested the presentation, which will also address a report on a TikTok influencer who died after allegedly being cyberbullied, which is believed to have been due to her experiencing stress.
Rajeswary was found dead in her home at about 11am last Friday. – July 9, 2024
TikTok influencer’s death came after a month of cyberbullying, rape and death threats
Police reports, checks on social media, paint an ugly picture of what befell Rajeswary Appahu
9 July, 2024, 8:30 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – Before her death on July 5, 29-year-old TikTok influencer and activist Rajeswary Appahu endured online harassment for more than a month, according to one of the police reports she lodged.
In a report filed with the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, she complained of a TikTok account which not only threatened her safety but allegedly made defamatory statements against her.
Rajeswary, known online as Esha, said the TikToker known as the “Dulal Brothers” hosted a livestream on June 30 with around 700 viewers, where participants made rape and death threats against her.
In her police report sighted by Scoop, she described in detail the threats of violence made against her, adding that a TikTok user allegedly said he had gangsters who were willing to join in the attacks, as well as encourage others to sexually harass her.
When contacted, Dang Wangi police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya told Scoop that his station received a report lodged by Rajeswary on June 30 and referred it to the Sentul police station.
Although the report makes reference to a TikTok livestream on June 30, the harassment against the influencer escalated more than a month ago.
On June 2, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth, posted excerpts of a TikTok live hosted by Rajeswary, where a man – who is now allegedly living in exile in Germany – entered the stream to make disparaging remarks against Islam.
Zamri later began a campaign on social media calling upon the public to lodge police reports against Rajeswary, which eventually led to her three-day remand before being released on June 28.
Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president Shashi Kumar told Scoop that the harassment against Rajeswary intensified after her release, with much of it being perpetuated by TikTok accounts such as Dulal Brothers and @alphaquinnsha.
“Esha was a strong and independent woman who was able to handle attacks against her ideologies. I believe she could have even handled being called up by the police.
“But after she was released, there were TikTokers who attacked her and her loved ones. That is what I think broke her. They resorted to name-calling and made threats against her.”
Shashi had previously supported Rajeswary in lodging a report against Moroccan influencer Abdellatif Ouisa over his TikTok video of him reciting Quranic verses on Islam’s prohibition against idolatry while standing in front of the Lord Muruga statue at Batu Caves.
A check by Scoop found that a slew of TikTok users had harassed Rajeswary online, with at least one user intending to mentally torture the influencer.
On July 8, Sentul police chief Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari confirmed in a statement that threats were made against the influencer via TikTok on June 30 and July 1.
“Both accounts used her photo as background for their video content. The video also contains rude and vulgar threats towards Rajeswary as well as rude and vulgar words.”
The police mentioned that the TikTok accounts involved were Dulal Brothers and @alphaquinnsha.
Authorities also arrested a 35-year-old woman on July 8 at her home in Rawang, Selangor over her involvement in the case and will remain in remand until July 10 to assist with investigations.
After Rajeswary’s death, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet is set to discuss cyberbullying matters on Friday, exploring various angles including legal frameworks.
He said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally requested the presentation, which will also address a report on a TikTok influencer who died after allegedly being cyberbullied, which is believed to have been due to her experiencing stress.
Rajeswary was found dead in her home at about 11am last Friday. – July 9, 2024
Much ado about nothing. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. What a drama Queen!
ReplyDeleteShe could have left the cyber world quietly but no. Hindus should watch out for their sisters who have suicidal traits. And to stop the blame game.