Chennai: Kanathur police on Thursday arrested a 30-year-old YouTuber, Jason Samuel Vijayakumar, on charges of abetting the suicide of finance influencer Harish, who had nearly 13 lakh followers on social media.The deceased, V Harish, 27, was from Puducherry and lived in a rented house at Reddi Beach on Ganathur Nagathammal Street near Muttukadu. He operated a channel named ‘Finance with Harish’, through which he provided financial advice and built a following of around 13 lakh subscribers.According to police, G Jason Samuel Vijayakumar, another influencer, demanded money from Harish and subsequently uploaded videos containing defamatory allegations against him on social media platforms. Police said that after the controversy, Harish’s social media account was blocked. Distressed over the allegations, online criticism, and loss of access to his account, Harish died by suicide at his residence on Oct 20.Following a complaint lodged by his father, Vinayagam, Kanathur police registered a case of abetment of suicide.During the investigation, police examined witness statements and documentary evidence, which they said indicated Jason Samuel’s involvement in the circumstances leading to Harish’s death. Based on the findings, police arrested G Jason Samuel Vijayakumar, 30. He was remanded in judicial custody.
