Chennai YouTuber arrested for allegedly abetting suicide of influencer

A 27-year-old financial content creator and social media influencer with over 1.3 million followers was found dead at his rented residence in Chennai on October 20. Police investigated the incident as a suspected suicide, following a complaint filed by the victim's father at the Kanathur police station. According to reports, the influencer had faced intense online pressure and public questioning regarding his financial advice content and whether he held the required licence from the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Investigators arrested a 30-year-old Chennai-based YouTuber in connection with the case. Police alleged that the accused posted defamatory videos, engaged in cyberbullying, attempted to extortion, and managed to get the victim's social media accounts blocked through Meta. The victim had reportedly shared an emotional video prior to his death, stating that he was suffering from severe mental distress due to these online attacks and threats.

Following an investigation involving witness statements and documentary evidence, the accused was taken into custody and produced before a judicial magistrate court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Meanwhile, the accused has denied the cyberbullying allegations, asserting through a social media statement that his actions were intended to highlight the lack of a mandatory investment advisor licence in the interest of consumers.

Not yet reported: The reports do not specify the final legal outcome of the court proceedings or the complete contents of the recovered digital evidence.