A lorry driver has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to two charges related to the death of TikTok influencer A. Rajeswary, also known as Esha.
In today’s case mention, 40-year-old B. Sathiskumar changed his plea to guilty, leading Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali to hand down the sentence. Sathiskumar was sentenced to 12 months on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently, starting from his arrest date on July 10.
Before sentencing, Sathiskumar, a father of three, apologised in court, admitting to his wrongdoing and pledging not to repeat his actions. "I am guilty. I won’t do it again. I ask for forgiveness, ma’am (judge), I won’t do it again," he said from the dock.
The first charge accused Sathiskumar of making obscene remarks with the intent to hurt others through his TikTok account, Dulal Brothers 360, at 10:12 PM on June 30. The remarks were read at Jalan Ipoh, Sentul. This charge was framed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which deals with the misuse of network facilities. It carries a maximum punishment of one year in prison, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
The second charge related to Sathiskumar's actions on the same date, where he humiliated Rajeswary’s mother, R. Puspa, 56, using the same TikTok account. This charge was framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sabri Othman requested a prison sentence, highlighting the severity of the offence, the public interest, and the rights of the victim. Sathiskumar's defence lawyer, Izwan Ishak from the National Legal Aid Foundation, appealed for a lighter sentence, noting that his client earned only RM1,200 per month and was supporting his disabled wife and three children.
The 29-year-old influencer was found dead at her home in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, on July 5, allegedly due to bullying. This came just a day after she filed a police report claiming she had been harassed on TikTok.
Source / Image Credit: Astro Radio News, Sinar Harian
Revathi
Wed Sep 25 2024