M Ravi gets Mandatory Treatment Order for causing hurt, breaking into law firm
Lawyer M Ravi was handed a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO) for 18 months on Friday (5 January), after he admitted to causing hurt to two lawyers, and to trespassing into the premises of law firm Eugene Thuraisingam LLP.
MTOs provide treatment for offenders suffering from psychiatric conditions that are susceptible to treatment.
As part of his sentence, Ravi, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006, will be required to comply with five conditions requested by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the prosecution.
Ravi, 48, appeared calm in court and was dressed in a full suit. He agreed through his lawyer Shashi Nathan to adhere to the conditions imposed on him.
These conditions include Ravi having to undertake blood tests when required in order to assess the level of medication in his blood.
Ravi is also required to attend sessions with IMH psychologists. He also agreed to having his private psychologists share information about his condition with the IMH team.
As part of the provisions stipulated by the prosecution, Ravi also agreed not to “make a nuisance or cause harassment to others”, in particular, religious institutions.
Ravi also undertook not to posts videos of himself on social media, unless the videos are for professional or commercial purposes.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Ravi said of the sentence, “I think it’s a fair resolution.”
“I just hope that with these conditions imposed and my compliance, that I can move forward with my career as well as my good relationships that I’ve always enjoyed with others,” he added.
Ravi said he is currently employed as a Head of Knowledge Management and Strategic Alliance in former National Solidarity Party secretary-general Lim Tean’s law firm, Carson Law Chambers. He added that he will be continuing his international human rights work.
When asked what he had to say to the people he committed the offences against, Ravi said: “It must have been very distressful for them; it was also quite hurtful for me to know that I hurt them, people who were quite close to me and care for me.”
Ravi, who is currently suspended from practising as a lawyer, pleaded guilty last November to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to Chong, 54, by pushing and charging at her, and one count of causing hurt through a rash act to Nakoorsha, 42, by throwing Chong’s handbag at his face in an August incident. Both Chong and Nakoorsha are partners at Eugene Thuraisingam LLP, from which Ravi was fired in June.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of breaking into Eugene Thuraisingam LLP’s Upper Cross Street premises with another man, Lai Yew Thiam, on 27 June with the intention of annoying the firm’s security officer. Lai was given four weeks’ jail after he admitted to housebreaking.
For Ravi’s sentencing, two counts of causing annoyance to the public by shouting at tourists and temple staff at Sri Mariamman Temple in July and August, were taken into consideration.
Last August, Ravi had visited the Eugene Thuraisingam LLP office at The Adelphi at around 10.45am, accompanied by members of the Lawyers Alliance for Human Rights Asia (LAHRA), an organisation that he founded following his termination from the law firm. The group demanded entry.
When approached by Nakoorsha, Ravi spoke about corruption and serving papers on the firm. Nakoorsha told Ravi to serve his papers via email and left.
The group was leaving when they encountered Chong along the corridor at around 11am. Ravi stopped Chong and began questioning her aggressively.
When Chong tried to leave, Ravi pushed her, charged towards her and pushed her again, said the prosecution. Chong stumbled and fell to the ground. At this point, Ravi said that Chong had pushed him.
While Chong was on the ground, Ravi kicked and flung her belongings about, threw a shoe at her and mocked her for being dramatic, said the prosecution.
Nakoorsha later came to Chong’s defence but Ravi threw Chong’s handbag at his face.
When Chong tried to pick up her belongings, Ravi snatched the items and flung them at her, while accusing her of taking his things. Ravi left after several minutes of ranting.
The incident was filmed by LAHRA members and widely circulated.
After his sentencing, Ravi spoke to the media waiting outside the court. Making a joke about his condition to not post videos about himself online, he said, “For now, I’ll be posting about birds.”
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