Social media row turns criminal case; Influencer Dhanya Harshith aka ‘Helen of Sparta’ arrested in Thrissur

THRISSUR: Social media influencer Dhanya Harshith, known as ‘Helen of Sparta’, has been arrested by the Thrissur City Police in a case involving the alleged use of abusive and sexually derogatory language against a transgender person from Thrissur through social media. Dhanya, a native of Bandiyod in Kasaragod, was arrested in a case registered at the Thrissur Cyber Police Station. She was later released on bail following her arrest.

The investigation was launched based on a complaint filed by the transgender person, who alleged that they had been publicly humiliated and threatened through social media. A special investigation team led by P. Shibu, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Narcotic Cell and Gender Justice, Thrissur, travelled to Kasaragod and took Dhanya into custody. The team also seized her mobile phone as part of the investigation.

The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, the Kerala Police Act and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act.
In July, police had registered a case against Dhanya for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Following the case, the Motor Vehicles Department suspended her driving licence.