4 men and 1 woman charged with offences related to COVID-19
SINGAPORE — Four men and a woman were charged for offences related to COVID-19 on Wednesday (29 April), including one who was accused of using abusive words during an argument over face masks.
The five are Abdul Halim Adi, 48, Rajalakshmi Sukomaran, 36, Sethu Selvaraj, 43, Karthigayen Balasubramaniam, 32, and Muhammad Faez Salimi, 26.
All are Singaporeans.
Abdul Halim Adi
Abdul is accused of verbally abusing a Social Distancing Ambassador by shouting vulgarities at him in the vicinity of Hougang Mall on 14 April, at about 1.15pm.
The next mention of Halim’s case has been fixed for 13 May and he intends to plead guilty.
Rajalakshmi Sukomaran
Rajalakshmi was charged with one count of leaving her residence in Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 on 19 April at about 6pm for a purpose that is not allowed under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Rajalakshmi said that she intends to plead guilty. She will return to court on 6 May.
Sethu Selvaraj
Sethu was similarly charged with one count of leaving his place of residence at Petir Road on 19 April, at about 5pm, for a purpose not allowed under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
He also faces two pending unrelated charges of molest and wrongful restraint against a 37-year-old woman on 6 June last year. He is said to have pulled the woman’s hand and refused to let her go at about 8.30pm near another HDB block along Petir Road. His charge sheet states that he hugged her from behind and groped her at a staircase landing between the first and second floor while interlocking his hands around her waist.
Sethu will return to court on 21 May.
Karthigayen Balasubramaniam
Karthigayen was slapped with two charges of hurling abusive words at two individuals on 12 April between 8.30am and 8.41am at basement 1 of Our Tampines Hub.
Appearing unrepresented in court, Karthigayen denied scolding anyone, claiming that there was only an argument over face masks.
He told the court he intended to engage a lawyer but had difficulty doing so due to the circuit breaker measures. The next mention of his case has been adjourned to 9 June.
Muhammad Faez Salimi
Faez is accused of breaking into a minimart located at Bukit Batok to steal cigarettes and surgical masks.
He allegedly broke into Meema Store, at Block 315 Bukit Batok Street 32, on Monday at about 6.30am by lifting the shutter to the main entrance and entering the store. He then allegedly stole 15 cartons and 200 boxes of cigarettes worth $3,950. He also stole $300 in coins and $60 worth of surgical masks, according to his charge sheet.
The total cost of his the stolen loot is $4,310. He has been remanded for investigations and will return to court on 6 May.
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