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But were refined in western universities and by western culture and values. Westernised Indians.
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Ah nehs...
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February 14, 2021 12:00 AM
Ghosn trial figure a portrait of conflict
HANS GREIMEL
Hari Nada
TOKYO — Outside Nissan Motor Co., Hari Nada was a little-known executive with a big role prior to the arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. He was a head-office heavyweight in the automaker's legal department and ran the CEO and chairman's office. Yet Nada's name rarely appears in company announcements, and photos of him are few and far between.
In recent weeks, however, the Malaysian-born, British-trained barrister has been center stage in the Tokyo trial of his other former boss, ex-Nissan director Greg Kelly, the American human resources executive whom prosecutors accuse of conspiring to hide Ghosn's big compensation packages from public view in violation of Japanese law.
On the witness stand, Nada has been a portrait of conflict. On one hand, he delivered details of how Ghosn, Kelly and other executives allegedly skirted disclosure rules. On the other, Nada acknowledged under government immunity that he helped support the scheming.
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#41
Employment pass holder jailed 4 weeks, fined for molesting, harassing colleague who spoke no English
By LOUISA TANG
Published APRIL 01, 2021
SINGAPORE — The Vietnamese woman who worked at his company spoke no English, but Dhandhayutham Ezhilan began taking a personal interest in her.
He would leave food in her locker and send her numerous text messages saying that he missed her and wanted to see her, often translated by computer from English to Vietnamese.
Eventually, he molested her outside a women’s toilet she had just cleaned.
On Thursday (April 1), Ezhilan, 48, was sentenced to four weeks’ jail and a fine of S$8,000 for his actions.
The Indian national pleaded guilty to one charge each of molestation and possessing obscene videos in his mobile phone. He was given a discharge amounting to an acquittal for a second outrage of modesty charge.
His employment pass was terminated after the Vietnamese woman reported what had happened.
At the time of his offences last year, he was working as an assistant operations manager and was one of the 21-year-old victim’s superiors. Her immediate supervisor reported to him.
She and their workplace cannot be identified due to a court gag order to protect her identity.
The court heard that they met on the same day she arrived in Singapore from Vietnam — March 2 last year. She spoke only Vietnamese and began work as a cleaner.
Ezhilan soon began sending her work schedule directly to her over messaging platform WhatsApp, even though it was the normal practice for her immediate supervisor to do so.
The first time she received food in her locker, she asked her team whether any of them had given it to her and they suggested Ezhilan had done so.
She confirmed her suspicions over the next few days when he frequently asked her if she liked the food. But she did not eat it as she considered him a stranger, and gave the food to her colleagues instead.
Ezhilan would also send her text messages in English, often followed by computer-translated Vietnamese versions. These included “I miss you a lot”, “I want to see you” and “I wish you yo [sic] be my girl”.
She ignored them and only responded to work-related messages.
WAITED FOR HER OUTSIDE TOILET
On March 30 last year, she was working the overtime shift at a building in the one-north business park.
Sometime between 7pm and 8pm, she was entering a women’s toilet on the ground level when she noticed Ezhilan standing outside the cubicle farthest away from the entrance. He told her he was checking on her work.
Feeling scared, she decided to clean the toilets on the upper levels first but saw him exit and head towards the car park. She then continued cleaning the ground floor toilet.
When she was done, she left and was shocked to see Ezhilan waiting for her outside the toilet.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ian Ernst Chai told the court: “She flinched, swore in Vietnamese at the accused, tried to wave him away using hand gestures, and moved away from the accused.
“However, the accused nonetheless moved quickly towards her and kissed the right side of her forehead with his lips. He then showed her a message in Vietnamese on his phone, asking her to take her time with her work.”
She ran back into the toilet, locked the cubicle door behind her and called her friend, another Vietnamese cleaner. She did not know how to call the Singapore police given that she had barely been here a month.
She stayed in the cubicle for half an hour crying. She then told her supervisors and agent what happened a few days later.
The company conducted an internal investigation and transferred her to another workplace. Ezhilan’s employment pass was also terminated.
She lodged a police report on Aug 21 last year and he was arrested later that evening. The authorities found 50 obscene films in his phone.
For molestation, he could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned, or received any combination of the three.
For possessing obscene films, he could have been jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$20,000, or punished with both.
Employment pass holder jailed 4 weeks, fined for molesting, harassing colleague who spoke no English
By LOUISA TANG
Published APRIL 01, 2021
- Dhandhayutham Ezhilan’s victim had just arrived in Singapore from Vietnam to work as a cleaner. He sent her numerous text messages, left her food in her locker, and waited outside a toilet one evening before molesting her.
- Dhandhayutham Ezhilan took a liking to a Vietnamese cleaner who had just arrived in Singapore
- He sent her text messages saying he missed her and wanted to see her
- One evening, he waited outside a women’s toilet and molested her
- His employment pass has since been terminated
SINGAPORE — The Vietnamese woman who worked at his company spoke no English, but Dhandhayutham Ezhilan began taking a personal interest in her.
He would leave food in her locker and send her numerous text messages saying that he missed her and wanted to see her, often translated by computer from English to Vietnamese.
Eventually, he molested her outside a women’s toilet she had just cleaned.
On Thursday (April 1), Ezhilan, 48, was sentenced to four weeks’ jail and a fine of S$8,000 for his actions.
The Indian national pleaded guilty to one charge each of molestation and possessing obscene videos in his mobile phone. He was given a discharge amounting to an acquittal for a second outrage of modesty charge.
His employment pass was terminated after the Vietnamese woman reported what had happened.
At the time of his offences last year, he was working as an assistant operations manager and was one of the 21-year-old victim’s superiors. Her immediate supervisor reported to him.
She and their workplace cannot be identified due to a court gag order to protect her identity.
The court heard that they met on the same day she arrived in Singapore from Vietnam — March 2 last year. She spoke only Vietnamese and began work as a cleaner.
Ezhilan soon began sending her work schedule directly to her over messaging platform WhatsApp, even though it was the normal practice for her immediate supervisor to do so.
The first time she received food in her locker, she asked her team whether any of them had given it to her and they suggested Ezhilan had done so.
She confirmed her suspicions over the next few days when he frequently asked her if she liked the food. But she did not eat it as she considered him a stranger, and gave the food to her colleagues instead.
Ezhilan would also send her text messages in English, often followed by computer-translated Vietnamese versions. These included “I miss you a lot”, “I want to see you” and “I wish you yo [sic] be my girl”.
She ignored them and only responded to work-related messages.
WAITED FOR HER OUTSIDE TOILET
On March 30 last year, she was working the overtime shift at a building in the one-north business park.
Sometime between 7pm and 8pm, she was entering a women’s toilet on the ground level when she noticed Ezhilan standing outside the cubicle farthest away from the entrance. He told her he was checking on her work.
Feeling scared, she decided to clean the toilets on the upper levels first but saw him exit and head towards the car park. She then continued cleaning the ground floor toilet.
When she was done, she left and was shocked to see Ezhilan waiting for her outside the toilet.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ian Ernst Chai told the court: “She flinched, swore in Vietnamese at the accused, tried to wave him away using hand gestures, and moved away from the accused.
“However, the accused nonetheless moved quickly towards her and kissed the right side of her forehead with his lips. He then showed her a message in Vietnamese on his phone, asking her to take her time with her work.”
She ran back into the toilet, locked the cubicle door behind her and called her friend, another Vietnamese cleaner. She did not know how to call the Singapore police given that she had barely been here a month.
She stayed in the cubicle for half an hour crying. She then told her supervisors and agent what happened a few days later.
The company conducted an internal investigation and transferred her to another workplace. Ezhilan’s employment pass was also terminated.
She lodged a police report on Aug 21 last year and he was arrested later that evening. The authorities found 50 obscene films in his phone.
For molestation, he could have been jailed for up to two years or fined or caned, or received any combination of the three.
For possessing obscene films, he could have been jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$20,000, or punished with both.
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#42
Man scolds staff for 'spoiling the business of 7-Eleven', police investigating public nuisance
Cherlynn Ng
Posted on 06 April 2021
Police are investigating a case of public nuisance involving a man who verbally abused staff at a 7-Eleven store on Friday night (April 2).
Stomper E witnessed the incident that occurred at Simei MRT station's 7-Eleven outlet at around 10pm.
She said: "This man started scolding one of the employees at 7-Eleven due to a misunderstanding. He had wanted a certain beer brand but the staff said they didn't have it.
"He also called her stupid."
In a video that E shared with Stomp, the man can be heard telling a female employee: "You are spoiling the business of 7-Eleven! I'm going to talk to 7-Eleven tomorrow, and Cold Storage. That you spoil the business of 7-Eleven!"
Cold Storage is owned by Dairy Farm Group, which is also the parent company of 7-Eleven.
In response to a Stomp query, the police said they were alerted to a case of public nuisance at 30 Simei Street 3 at 10.32pm.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Stomp has contacted 7-Eleven for more info.
Man scolds staff for 'spoiling the business of 7-Eleven', police investigating public nuisance
Cherlynn Ng
Posted on 06 April 2021
Police are investigating a case of public nuisance involving a man who verbally abused staff at a 7-Eleven store on Friday night (April 2).
Stomper E witnessed the incident that occurred at Simei MRT station's 7-Eleven outlet at around 10pm.
She said: "This man started scolding one of the employees at 7-Eleven due to a misunderstanding. He had wanted a certain beer brand but the staff said they didn't have it.
"He also called her stupid."
In a video that E shared with Stomp, the man can be heard telling a female employee: "You are spoiling the business of 7-Eleven! I'm going to talk to 7-Eleven tomorrow, and Cold Storage. That you spoil the business of 7-Eleven!"
Cold Storage is owned by Dairy Farm Group, which is also the parent company of 7-Eleven.
In response to a Stomp query, the police said they were alerted to a case of public nuisance at 30 Simei Street 3 at 10.32pm.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Stomp has contacted 7-Eleven for more info.
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CitiBank Vikram too
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#43
Former prison counsellor gets jail for abusing maid left with temporary hearing loss
Gayathri Iyer was convicted in February following a trial of two counts of abusing her maid.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
David Sun
Apr 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - A woman who slapped her maid so hard that the domestic worker suffered a temporary loss of hearing was sentenced to seven months' jail on Wednesday (April 14).
Gayathri Iyer, 51, was convicted in February following a trial of two counts of abusing her maid, Myanmar national Thang Khaw Lam.
The 30-year-old victim suffered hearing loss in her left ear for at least a month. She later recovered from her injuries and was found to have normal hearing.
She started working for Gayathri's family in June 2017 at the Pebble Bay condominium in Tanjong Rhu Road.
On Oct 27 that year, the housewife hit the maid's shoulder after the domestic worker used the word "mah" when talking to her.
Using a mobile phone, Ms Thang Khaw Lam took photographs of the bruises, which were at the top of her shoulder and extended slightly to her back.
The second incident happened on Dec 7 that year, when Gayathri slapped her for failing to wake up her son who was then in national service.
The incident happened at around 5.40am when the domestic worker was doing laundry.
Gayathri slapped the maid twice on her left ear and once on her right.
As a result, the maid said she could not hear anything in her left ear for the whole day.
About five days after the incident, she ran from Gayathri's home and told the police about her ordeal. She recovered from her injuries by Sept 5, 2018.
District Judge Tan Jen Tse acquitted Gayathri of two other assault charges involving the maid, finding the domestic worker's evidence in these instances not "unusually convincing".
On Wednesday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Ee Kuan urged the court to jail the former counsellor at Changi Prison for nine months, saying there was an oppressive relationship between the maid and her employer.
Gayathri's lawyer Kalidass Murugaiyan asked the court for a sentence of nine weeks, saying his client used to be a counsellor at Changi Prison, and had pledged to donate all of her organs despite being a Hindu.
The district judge, in sentencing Gayathri to seven months' jail, said the prosecution had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that there was a sustained pattern of abuse, and he was not able to find that the victim had suffered psychological harm.
He also ordered Gayathri to make compensation of about $5,330 to the maid.
The accused is appealing against the sentence, and is on bail for $15,000.
For each count of assaulting a maid, she could have been jailed for up to three years and fined up to $7,500.
Former prison counsellor gets jail for abusing maid left with temporary hearing loss
Gayathri Iyer was convicted in February following a trial of two counts of abusing her maid.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
David Sun
Apr 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - A woman who slapped her maid so hard that the domestic worker suffered a temporary loss of hearing was sentenced to seven months' jail on Wednesday (April 14).
Gayathri Iyer, 51, was convicted in February following a trial of two counts of abusing her maid, Myanmar national Thang Khaw Lam.
The 30-year-old victim suffered hearing loss in her left ear for at least a month. She later recovered from her injuries and was found to have normal hearing.
She started working for Gayathri's family in June 2017 at the Pebble Bay condominium in Tanjong Rhu Road.
On Oct 27 that year, the housewife hit the maid's shoulder after the domestic worker used the word "mah" when talking to her.
Using a mobile phone, Ms Thang Khaw Lam took photographs of the bruises, which were at the top of her shoulder and extended slightly to her back.
The second incident happened on Dec 7 that year, when Gayathri slapped her for failing to wake up her son who was then in national service.
The incident happened at around 5.40am when the domestic worker was doing laundry.
Gayathri slapped the maid twice on her left ear and once on her right.
As a result, the maid said she could not hear anything in her left ear for the whole day.
About five days after the incident, she ran from Gayathri's home and told the police about her ordeal. She recovered from her injuries by Sept 5, 2018.
District Judge Tan Jen Tse acquitted Gayathri of two other assault charges involving the maid, finding the domestic worker's evidence in these instances not "unusually convincing".
On Wednesday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Ee Kuan urged the court to jail the former counsellor at Changi Prison for nine months, saying there was an oppressive relationship between the maid and her employer.
Gayathri's lawyer Kalidass Murugaiyan asked the court for a sentence of nine weeks, saying his client used to be a counsellor at Changi Prison, and had pledged to donate all of her organs despite being a Hindu.
The district judge, in sentencing Gayathri to seven months' jail, said the prosecution had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that there was a sustained pattern of abuse, and he was not able to find that the victim had suffered psychological harm.
He also ordered Gayathri to make compensation of about $5,330 to the maid.
The accused is appealing against the sentence, and is on bail for $15,000.
For each count of assaulting a maid, she could have been jailed for up to three years and fined up to $7,500.
Last edited:
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- Jul 25, 2008
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#44
Jail, caning for migrant worker who molested student, teaching staff at secluded area in One-North
By WONG PEI TING
Published APRIL 15, 2021
SINGAPORE — A 32-year-old migrant worker, who molested a teenager and a teaching support staff member at a secluded part of research and business park One-North in January, was sentenced to 20 months in jail and three strokes of the cane on Wednesday (April 14).
Bangladeshi Rahaman Shahinor, who pleaded guilty to two counts of molestation, was working at the construction site for agri-business firm Wilmar International at One-North Link.
He intercepted his victims — a 13-year-old and a 30-year-old — at the Forest Canopy Boardwalk at One-North Park Fusionopolis South on two consecutive days.
The victims cannot be named due to a court order protecting their identities.
The court heard that on the evening of Jan 28, Rahaman intentionally bumped into the girl as she was making her way to One-North MRT Station from her school.
When she fell, Rahaman groped her chest over her blouse.
The girl got up and tried to run back to her school but Rahaman blocked her path before groping her chest again and touching her stomach.
When the girl turned and tried to run towards the MRT station instead, Rahaman grabbed her backpack from behind.
He then grabbed the hem of her blouse and tried to pull it upwards.
She shouted at him to stop but he did not and instead persisted by pulling the collar of her blouse.
When she tried to call her mother at this point, he attempted to grab her mobile phone.
He ran away when he was unable to do so.
Less than 12 hours later, Rahaman struck again.
At 7.10am the next day, he stopped in front of a 30-year-old teaching support staff member and grabbed her chest over her dress for a few seconds.
This victim, who worked at the same school the first victim attended, tried to detain him while she called for the police but he ran away.
She lost sight of him at first but later spotted him walking down One-North Crescent towards Fusionopolis.
This victim quickly recorded a video of Rahaman.
Coincidentally, the mother of Rahaman’s first victim was walking out of the school at that time.
The 30-year-old victim caught her attention and shouted, “That’s him! That’s him!”, while pointing at Rahaman.
The mother and a security officer at the school tried to track him down but lost sight of him.
Police investigation revealed that he fled by taking the MRT from One-North station to his dormitory near Pioneer station.
Throughout the hearing, Rahaman, who was not represented by a lawyer, kept apologising for what he had done and begged District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz to impose a lighter sentence, saying that his parents back in Bangladesh are “waiting for him”.
“Sorry. I wrong already. I mistake already. Next time, I never do. My father, mother cry for me. I no working. Many cry,” he said.
When he tried defending himself by saying “I didn’t know about Singapore law”, the judge retorted: “It is not a defence to say that you didn’t know something was an offence.”
In sentencing him, the judge said it is particularly egregious that Rahaman had “deliberately and persistently” offended against the 13-year-old victim, adding that it is “especially aggravating” that he pursued her to pull up her blouse when she tried to escape.
For molesting the minor, he could have been jailed up to five years, fined or caned, or received all three penalties.
For molesting the woman, he could have been jailed up to two years, fined or caned, or received all three penalties.
Jail, caning for migrant worker who molested student, teaching staff at secluded area in One-North
By WONG PEI TING
Published APRIL 15, 2021
- Bangladeshi Rahaman Shahinor, 32, who molested two people, told the court in his own defence that he did not know about Singapore's laws.
- Rahaman Shahinor intentionally bumped into a 13-year-old girl at the Forest Canopy Boardwalk in One-North then proceeded to molest her
- The next morning, the 32-year-old molested a teaching support personnel at the same location
- The migrant worker said in his defence that he did not know Singapore's laws
SINGAPORE — A 32-year-old migrant worker, who molested a teenager and a teaching support staff member at a secluded part of research and business park One-North in January, was sentenced to 20 months in jail and three strokes of the cane on Wednesday (April 14).
Bangladeshi Rahaman Shahinor, who pleaded guilty to two counts of molestation, was working at the construction site for agri-business firm Wilmar International at One-North Link.
He intercepted his victims — a 13-year-old and a 30-year-old — at the Forest Canopy Boardwalk at One-North Park Fusionopolis South on two consecutive days.
The victims cannot be named due to a court order protecting their identities.
The court heard that on the evening of Jan 28, Rahaman intentionally bumped into the girl as she was making her way to One-North MRT Station from her school.
When she fell, Rahaman groped her chest over her blouse.
The girl got up and tried to run back to her school but Rahaman blocked her path before groping her chest again and touching her stomach.
When the girl turned and tried to run towards the MRT station instead, Rahaman grabbed her backpack from behind.
He then grabbed the hem of her blouse and tried to pull it upwards.
She shouted at him to stop but he did not and instead persisted by pulling the collar of her blouse.
When she tried to call her mother at this point, he attempted to grab her mobile phone.
He ran away when he was unable to do so.
Less than 12 hours later, Rahaman struck again.
At 7.10am the next day, he stopped in front of a 30-year-old teaching support staff member and grabbed her chest over her dress for a few seconds.
This victim, who worked at the same school the first victim attended, tried to detain him while she called for the police but he ran away.
She lost sight of him at first but later spotted him walking down One-North Crescent towards Fusionopolis.
This victim quickly recorded a video of Rahaman.
Coincidentally, the mother of Rahaman’s first victim was walking out of the school at that time.
The 30-year-old victim caught her attention and shouted, “That’s him! That’s him!”, while pointing at Rahaman.
The mother and a security officer at the school tried to track him down but lost sight of him.
Police investigation revealed that he fled by taking the MRT from One-North station to his dormitory near Pioneer station.
Throughout the hearing, Rahaman, who was not represented by a lawyer, kept apologising for what he had done and begged District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz to impose a lighter sentence, saying that his parents back in Bangladesh are “waiting for him”.
“Sorry. I wrong already. I mistake already. Next time, I never do. My father, mother cry for me. I no working. Many cry,” he said.
When he tried defending himself by saying “I didn’t know about Singapore law”, the judge retorted: “It is not a defence to say that you didn’t know something was an offence.”
In sentencing him, the judge said it is particularly egregious that Rahaman had “deliberately and persistently” offended against the 13-year-old victim, adding that it is “especially aggravating” that he pursued her to pull up her blouse when she tried to escape.
For molesting the minor, he could have been jailed up to five years, fined or caned, or received all three penalties.
For molesting the woman, he could have been jailed up to two years, fined or caned, or received all three penalties.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
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- 12,468
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- 113
#45
Man kissed woman's hand on train and offered her money to go to Hotel 81, gets jail
Photo illustration of a man committing molest. (Photo: Jeremy Long)
By Lydia Lam@LydiaLamCNA
03 Jan 2020
SINGAPORE: A man "looking for girls" found one at a train station and offered her money to spend the night with him before kissing her hand.
For using criminal force on the 24-year-old woman to outrage her modesty, Indian national Meesala Siva Prasad was sentenced to five days' jail on Thursday (Jan 2).
Another charge of causing her distress by offering her S$100 to go to Hotel 81 with him was taken into consideration.
Meesala, a 34-year-old software engineer, had his earlier plea of guilt rejected by a judge as he denied intending to commit the crime, claiming it was part of his culture.
However, he admitted fully to the offences on Thursday under a different judge.
The court heard that Meesala approached the victim at about 10.50pm on Jun 27 last year, while she was walking towards the train at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
He asked her how to get to the North East Line and the woman let him follow her there.
On the way, Meesala told the victim that he was looking for girls and she asked him what type he was looking for.
When he asked if she would like to go to Hotel 81, she refused.
They boarded the same train and he told her to spend the night with him, taking out his wallet to offer her money.
Even though the woman rejected him, Meesala took her right hand and kissed it.
This shocked and disgusted the woman, who did not know how to react, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Jotham Tay.
At some point in their conversation, Meesala also asked the woman for her number. She gave it to him out of fear. He called her number to confirm that it was accurate and eventually alighted at Little India.
The prosecutor on Thursday said the case would have normally been met with a fine, but Meesala had been in remand for some time, so he left the sentence to the court.
Meesala wrote a letter to the judge in mitigation, and told the court that he had lost his job because of the offence and had two young daughters and a wife to take care of.
He said this was a big lesson in his life and pleaded for leniency.
The judge agreed that a normal sentence would have been a fine, "but I can't backdate a fine".
She sentenced him to five days' jail and backdated it.
For outraging the victim's modesty, Meesala could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, caned or given any combination of these punishments.
Man kissed woman's hand on train and offered her money to go to Hotel 81, gets jail
Photo illustration of a man committing molest. (Photo: Jeremy Long)
By Lydia Lam@LydiaLamCNA
03 Jan 2020
SINGAPORE: A man "looking for girls" found one at a train station and offered her money to spend the night with him before kissing her hand.
For using criminal force on the 24-year-old woman to outrage her modesty, Indian national Meesala Siva Prasad was sentenced to five days' jail on Thursday (Jan 2).
Another charge of causing her distress by offering her S$100 to go to Hotel 81 with him was taken into consideration.
Meesala, a 34-year-old software engineer, had his earlier plea of guilt rejected by a judge as he denied intending to commit the crime, claiming it was part of his culture.
However, he admitted fully to the offences on Thursday under a different judge.
The court heard that Meesala approached the victim at about 10.50pm on Jun 27 last year, while she was walking towards the train at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
He asked her how to get to the North East Line and the woman let him follow her there.
On the way, Meesala told the victim that he was looking for girls and she asked him what type he was looking for.
When he asked if she would like to go to Hotel 81, she refused.
They boarded the same train and he told her to spend the night with him, taking out his wallet to offer her money.
Even though the woman rejected him, Meesala took her right hand and kissed it.
This shocked and disgusted the woman, who did not know how to react, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Jotham Tay.
At some point in their conversation, Meesala also asked the woman for her number. She gave it to him out of fear. He called her number to confirm that it was accurate and eventually alighted at Little India.
The prosecutor on Thursday said the case would have normally been met with a fine, but Meesala had been in remand for some time, so he left the sentence to the court.
Meesala wrote a letter to the judge in mitigation, and told the court that he had lost his job because of the offence and had two young daughters and a wife to take care of.
He said this was a big lesson in his life and pleaded for leniency.
The judge agreed that a normal sentence would have been a fine, "but I can't backdate a fine".
She sentenced him to five days' jail and backdated it.
For outraging the victim's modesty, Meesala could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, caned or given any combination of these punishments.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
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- 12,468
- Points
- 113
Last edited:
Wah piang ! U read the way she tortured her mad u also shiver.
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#47
Covid-19: Man fined S$2,500 for attending barbecue at East Coast Park with 11 others
Published APRIL 19, 2021
Nuria Ling/TODAY
Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli had said in July 2020 that "some complacency may be setting in" as large groups were found congregating at East Coast Park and Sentosa over the weekend.
SINGAPORE — A man was fined S$2,500 by a court on Monday (April 19) for attending a barbecue party at East Coast Park with 11 others in December last year, amid Covid-19 measures limiting social gatherings to no more than five people.
Theepan Subramaniam, a 27-year-old security officer, pleaded guilty to one charge of gathering with a "cohort" of more than five people outside his home for a non-permitted purpose.
The court heard that Theepan was invited by a friend to a party at a barbecue pit at East Coast Park to celebrate the 12th anniversary of a car club called Godstar.
He arrived at the barbecue pit with two friends at 9pm on Dec 19, 2020, a Saturday. Within an hour, at least 10 people had gathered there.
By about 1am on Dec 20, 2020, there were at least 12 people at the venue — eating, drinking and intermingling, not wearing their masks and not keeping a metre's distance from each other.
At about 12.30am on Dec 20, 2020, a man called the police and said: "There are more than 20 subjects at the seaside not following SDM (social distancing measures)."
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Lim asked for a fine of between S$2,000 and S$2,500 for Theepan. He noted that Theepan came to court because this was his third breach — he had been given out-of-court fines in May and August last year.
The judge told Theepan that he was one of the youngest in the group but had already clocked up several instances of such a breach.
"What I'm trying to explain to you is — you need to take it seriously, because it's still a public health risk that we all need to do our part," he said.
He gave Theepan until May 10 to pay his fine in full.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli had said in July 2020 that "some complacency may be setting in" as large groups were found congregating at East Coast Park and Sentosa over the weekend.
On Christmas Eve last year, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment reminded the public to continue to be socially responsible and take Covid-19 safe management measures seriously during the festive period.
The penalties for a first-time offender breaking a Covid-19 law are a maximum jail term of six months and a fine of up to S$10,000. CNA
Covid-19: Man fined S$2,500 for attending barbecue at East Coast Park with 11 others
Published APRIL 19, 2021
Nuria Ling/TODAY
Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli had said in July 2020 that "some complacency may be setting in" as large groups were found congregating at East Coast Park and Sentosa over the weekend.
SINGAPORE — A man was fined S$2,500 by a court on Monday (April 19) for attending a barbecue party at East Coast Park with 11 others in December last year, amid Covid-19 measures limiting social gatherings to no more than five people.
Theepan Subramaniam, a 27-year-old security officer, pleaded guilty to one charge of gathering with a "cohort" of more than five people outside his home for a non-permitted purpose.
The court heard that Theepan was invited by a friend to a party at a barbecue pit at East Coast Park to celebrate the 12th anniversary of a car club called Godstar.
He arrived at the barbecue pit with two friends at 9pm on Dec 19, 2020, a Saturday. Within an hour, at least 10 people had gathered there.
By about 1am on Dec 20, 2020, there were at least 12 people at the venue — eating, drinking and intermingling, not wearing their masks and not keeping a metre's distance from each other.
At about 12.30am on Dec 20, 2020, a man called the police and said: "There are more than 20 subjects at the seaside not following SDM (social distancing measures)."
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Lim asked for a fine of between S$2,000 and S$2,500 for Theepan. He noted that Theepan came to court because this was his third breach — he had been given out-of-court fines in May and August last year.
The judge told Theepan that he was one of the youngest in the group but had already clocked up several instances of such a breach.
"What I'm trying to explain to you is — you need to take it seriously, because it's still a public health risk that we all need to do our part," he said.
He gave Theepan until May 10 to pay his fine in full.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli had said in July 2020 that "some complacency may be setting in" as large groups were found congregating at East Coast Park and Sentosa over the weekend.
On Christmas Eve last year, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment reminded the public to continue to be socially responsible and take Covid-19 safe management measures seriously during the festive period.
The penalties for a first-time offender breaking a Covid-19 law are a maximum jail term of six months and a fine of up to S$10,000. CNA
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- Messages
- 12,468
- Points
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#48
F.B.I.
Court rules woman has 73% stake in house she bought with married man
In March 2008, the pair took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam.PHOTO: ST FILE
Selina Lum
Law Correspondent
Apr 26, 2021
SINGAPORE - A woman and a married man bought a $1.7 million house together as an investment, but put the property under the man's sole name to "save costs" on stamp duties and property tax.
More than 10 years later, in divorce proceedings, the man's wife staked a claim on the Hougang house, alleging that he had bought it with the sales proceeds of their matrimonial flat.
The other buyer of the house, Ms Susan Yeow Jen Ai, then went to court, armed with years of bank records, to show that she contributed 73 per cent to its purchase and related expenses.
The High Court was persuaded and declared that she held a 73 per cent share of the house, while co-owner, Mr Ravindaranath Kalyana Ramasamy, had a 27 per cent stake.
Mr Ramasamy agreed with Ms Yeow's contention that he was holding her share in the house on trust for her.
In a written judgment on April 19, Justice Lee Sieu Kin said he was conscious of the possibility of a conspiracy between Ms Yeow and Mr Ramasamy to dilute the latter's assets.
"Having carefully analysed the evidence, which includes documentary evidence accumulated over many years, I do not see any indication that this is the case," said the judge.
Justice Lee said Ms Yeow has proven that she and Mr Ramasamy had intended for their beneficial interest in the property to be apportioned according to each person's financial contributions.
The pair met in 2003 as course mates in a Master of Business Administration programme.
In March 2008, they took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam, with Ms Yeow as a guarantor.
Ms Yeow said they had an oral agreement to sell the house and share the profits when the price hit $3.5 million.
She said they also agreed to put the house under Mr Ramasamy's sole name. She had another property and was worried about additional stamp duties and higher property tax, she said.
Ms Yeow said she has been transferring $7,000 to $10,000 every month to Mr Ramasamy to pay the mortgage. She stated her total contribution as $833,600 and Mr Ramasamy's as $310,000.
Mr Ramasamy's wife, Ms Vishnumangalam Chandrasekharan Renuka, alleged that the transfers were for losses incurred by Mr Ramasamy, who, she claimed, was making financial trades on Ms Yeow's behalf.
She said the sums could also be loans or gifts from Ms Yeow to Mr Ramasamy.
But Justice Lee said there was no credible evidence to support Ms Renuka's claims.
The judge said the weight of documentary evidence was in Ms Yeow's favour.
He added that while it may be "unwise" that the agreement was not in writing, it was "rather implausible" that the monthly transfers were anything but in service of the housing loan and expenses related to the property.
F.B.I.
Court rules woman has 73% stake in house she bought with married man
In March 2008, the pair took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam.PHOTO: ST FILE
Selina Lum
Law Correspondent
Apr 26, 2021
SINGAPORE - A woman and a married man bought a $1.7 million house together as an investment, but put the property under the man's sole name to "save costs" on stamp duties and property tax.
More than 10 years later, in divorce proceedings, the man's wife staked a claim on the Hougang house, alleging that he had bought it with the sales proceeds of their matrimonial flat.
The other buyer of the house, Ms Susan Yeow Jen Ai, then went to court, armed with years of bank records, to show that she contributed 73 per cent to its purchase and related expenses.
The High Court was persuaded and declared that she held a 73 per cent share of the house, while co-owner, Mr Ravindaranath Kalyana Ramasamy, had a 27 per cent stake.
Mr Ramasamy agreed with Ms Yeow's contention that he was holding her share in the house on trust for her.
In a written judgment on April 19, Justice Lee Sieu Kin said he was conscious of the possibility of a conspiracy between Ms Yeow and Mr Ramasamy to dilute the latter's assets.
"Having carefully analysed the evidence, which includes documentary evidence accumulated over many years, I do not see any indication that this is the case," said the judge.
Justice Lee said Ms Yeow has proven that she and Mr Ramasamy had intended for their beneficial interest in the property to be apportioned according to each person's financial contributions.
The pair met in 2003 as course mates in a Master of Business Administration programme.
In March 2008, they took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam, with Ms Yeow as a guarantor.
Ms Yeow said they had an oral agreement to sell the house and share the profits when the price hit $3.5 million.
She said they also agreed to put the house under Mr Ramasamy's sole name. She had another property and was worried about additional stamp duties and higher property tax, she said.
Ms Yeow said she has been transferring $7,000 to $10,000 every month to Mr Ramasamy to pay the mortgage. She stated her total contribution as $833,600 and Mr Ramasamy's as $310,000.
Mr Ramasamy's wife, Ms Vishnumangalam Chandrasekharan Renuka, alleged that the transfers were for losses incurred by Mr Ramasamy, who, she claimed, was making financial trades on Ms Yeow's behalf.
She said the sums could also be loans or gifts from Ms Yeow to Mr Ramasamy.
But Justice Lee said there was no credible evidence to support Ms Renuka's claims.
The judge said the weight of documentary evidence was in Ms Yeow's favour.
He added that while it may be "unwise" that the agreement was not in writing, it was "rather implausible" that the monthly transfers were anything but in service of the housing loan and expenses related to the property.
Last edited:
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- Mar 31, 2020
- Messages
- 9,153
- Points
- 113
more importantly, did susan yeow jen ai have sex with with Ravindaranath Kalyana Ramasamy?#48
Court rules woman has 73% stake in house she bought with married man
In March 2008, the pair took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam.PHOTO: ST FILE
Selina Lum
Law Correspondent
Apr 26, 2021
SINGAPORE - A woman and a married man bought a $1.7 million house together as an investment, but put the property under the man's sole name to "save costs" on stamp duties and property tax.
More than 10 years later, in divorce proceedings, the man's wife staked a claim on the Hougang house, alleging that he had bought it with the sales proceeds of their matrimonial flat.
The other buyer of the house, Ms Susan Yeow Jen Ai, then went to court, armed with years of bank records, to show that she contributed 73 per cent to its purchase and related expenses.
The High Court was persuaded and declared that she held a 73 per cent share of the house, while co-owner, Mr Ravindaranath Kalyana Ramasamy, had a 27 per cent stake.
Mr Ramasamy agreed with Ms Yeow's contention that he was holding her share in the house on trust for her.
In a written judgment on April 19, Justice Lee Sieu Kin said he was conscious of the possibility of a conspiracy between Ms Yeow and Mr Ramasamy to dilute the latter's assets.
"Having carefully analysed the evidence, which includes documentary evidence accumulated over many years, I do not see any indication that this is the case," said the judge.
Justice Lee said Ms Yeow has proven that she and Mr Ramasamy had intended for their beneficial interest in the property to be apportioned according to each person's financial contributions.
The pair met in 2003 as course mates in a Master of Business Administration programme.
In March 2008, they took up a bank loan to fund the purchase of the house in Jalan Rengkam, with Ms Yeow as a guarantor.
Ms Yeow said they had an oral agreement to sell the house and share the profits when the price hit $3.5 million.
She said they also agreed to put the house under Mr Ramasamy's sole name. She had another property and was worried about additional stamp duties and higher property tax, she said.
Ms Yeow said she has been transferring $7,000 to $10,000 every month to Mr Ramasamy to pay the mortgage. She stated her total contribution as $833,600 and Mr Ramasamy's as $310,000.
Mr Ramasamy's wife, Ms Vishnumangalam Chandrasekharan Renuka, alleged that the transfers were for losses incurred by Mr Ramasamy, who, she claimed, was making financial trades on Ms Yeow's behalf.
She said the sums could also be loans or gifts from Ms Yeow to Mr Ramasamy.
But Justice Lee said there was no credible evidence to support Ms Renuka's claims.
The judge said the weight of documentary evidence was in Ms Yeow's favour.
He added that while it may be "unwise" that the agreement was not in writing, it was "rather implausible" that the monthly transfers were anything but in service of the housing loan and expenses related to the property.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
- Messages
- 12,468
- Points
- 113
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
- Messages
- 12,468
- Points
- 113
#49
Balachandran Parthiban had also left his dormitory when he was supposed to be isolated there.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
David Sun
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - A worker who tested positive for Covid-19 had gone to Changi Airport, loitering there for four hours after staff refused to sell him a ticket to India.
Balachandran Parthiban, 25, had also left his dormitory when he was supposed to be isolated there.
On Friday (May 14), the Indian national pleaded guilty to two charges under the Infectious Diseases Act. Another charge under the Act and a harassment charge will be taken into consideration for sentencing.
On May 23 last year, Balachandran reported sick at his dormitory, complaining of fever and sore throat.
After he was taken in an ambulance to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), he was swabbed at about 1.40pm and told not to leave SGH.
But at 5.35pm, he left the hospital without informing the staff, travelling on foot and by bus to Lower Delta Road, where he took a taxi to Changi Airport.
Balachandran tried to buy a ticket to India, but the staff did not sell it to him. He then loitered at Terminal 1 for about four hours before he was found by police and escorted back to SGH.
On June 8, after he was found to be no longer infectious, he was sent back to the dorm to be isolated. But he left the dorm in the early hours of June 16 and went to Changi Airport again. When he was refused a ticket again, he loitered and slept at the airport.
The next day, he went to a relative's home in Tampines. After entering the flat, he revealed he had left his dorm without permission.
The relative then called and alerted Balachandran's supervisor. Shortly after, the police arrived at the unit and escorted the accused back to the dorm.
Balachandran is currently remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation.
For each charge under the Infectious Diseases Act, he can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $10,000, or both.
Worker who had Covid-19 went to Changi Airport last year in attempt to return to India
David Sun
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - A worker who tested positive for Covid-19 had gone to Changi Airport, loitering there for four hours after staff refused to sell him a ticket to India.
Balachandran Parthiban, 25, had also left his dormitory when he was supposed to be isolated there.
On Friday (May 14), the Indian national pleaded guilty to two charges under the Infectious Diseases Act. Another charge under the Act and a harassment charge will be taken into consideration for sentencing.
On May 23 last year, Balachandran reported sick at his dormitory, complaining of fever and sore throat.
After he was taken in an ambulance to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), he was swabbed at about 1.40pm and told not to leave SGH.
But at 5.35pm, he left the hospital without informing the staff, travelling on foot and by bus to Lower Delta Road, where he took a taxi to Changi Airport.
Balachandran tried to buy a ticket to India, but the staff did not sell it to him. He then loitered at Terminal 1 for about four hours before he was found by police and escorted back to SGH.
On June 8, after he was found to be no longer infectious, he was sent back to the dorm to be isolated. But he left the dorm in the early hours of June 16 and went to Changi Airport again. When he was refused a ticket again, he loitered and slept at the airport.
The next day, he went to a relative's home in Tampines. After entering the flat, he revealed he had left his dorm without permission.
The relative then called and alerted Balachandran's supervisor. Shortly after, the police arrived at the unit and escorted the accused back to the dorm.
Balachandran is currently remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation.
For each charge under the Infectious Diseases Act, he can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $10,000, or both.
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2020
- Messages
- 9,153
- Points
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his relative is sinkypurian?#49
Worker who had Covid-19 went to Changi Airport last year in attempt to return to India
Balachandran Parthiban had also left his dormitory when he was supposed to be isolated there.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
David Sun
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - A worker who tested positive for Covid-19 had gone to Changi Airport, loitering there for four hours after staff refused to sell him a ticket to India.
Balachandran Parthiban, 25, had also left his dormitory when he was supposed to be isolated there.
On Friday (May 14), the Indian national pleaded guilty to two charges under the Infectious Diseases Act. Another charge under the Act and a harassment charge will be taken into consideration for sentencing.
On May 23 last year, Balachandran reported sick at his dormitory, complaining of fever and sore throat.
After he was taken in an ambulance to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), he was swabbed at about 1.40pm and told not to leave SGH.
But at 5.35pm, he left the hospital without informing the staff, travelling on foot and by bus to Lower Delta Road, where he took a taxi to Changi Airport.
Balachandran tried to buy a ticket to India, but the staff did not sell it to him. He then loitered at Terminal 1 for about four hours before he was found by police and escorted back to SGH.
On June 8, after he was found to be no longer infectious, he was sent back to the dorm to be isolated. But he left the dorm in the early hours of June 16 and went to Changi Airport again. When he was refused a ticket again, he loitered and slept at the airport.
The next day, he went to a relative's home in Tampines. After entering the flat, he revealed he had left his dorm without permission.
The relative then called and alerted Balachandran's supervisor. Shortly after, the police arrived at the unit and escorted the accused back to the dorm.
Balachandran is currently remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation.
For each charge under the Infectious Diseases Act, he can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $10,000, or both.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
- Messages
- 12,468
- Points
- 113
#50
Another liar
Singapore entrepreneur Harsh Dalal removed from Forbes list amid reports of unverifiable claims
Mr Harsh Dalal (bottom left) was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Forbes Asia.PHOTO: FORBES ASIA
Choo Yun Ting
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - Local entrepreneur Harsh Dalal claimed to run a US$25 million (S$33.4 million) tech start-up and was one of the honorees of Forbes' annual 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021.
But less than a month after being named on the list of 300 entrepreneurs, the 19-year-old co-founder and chief executive of Singapore-based Team Labs has been removed amid reports that some of his previous claims cannot be verified.
On Wednesday (May 12), Forbes Asia editor Justin Doebele said in an article that the publication was removing Mr Dalal from its 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2021.
"His removal comes after a careful consideration of the findings of a comprehensive review of the information that was used to qualify him for the list, as well as new information that has come to light in recent days," he wrote, adding that Forbes has also taken significant steps to tighten its evaluation process.
Mr Dalal, who recently graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in business administration, was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Forbes Asia, among other honorees on the list. His video interview with CNA for its On The Red Dot series published in January has garnered over 900,000 views as of Friday (May 14).
However, a detailed investigation by Singapore-based online tech media publication Tech in Asia found inconsistencies in several of his claims, including his US$9.8 million Series A round raised from venture capital (VC) firm Grand Canyon Capital.
Mr Dalal told Tech in Asia after several conversations that Team Labs' numbers were "conveyed by" Grand Canyon Capital and cannot be attributed to him. The investor was also responsible for incorporating the company and managing the firm day-to-day, he added.
However, several links on Grand Canyon Capital's website are not working, and the site's claims that it is an investor in prominent tech-enabled companies Uber, Deliveroo and Airbnb cannot be corroborated.
The VC firm has also little presence online, with the only online mentions traced to Team Labs.
Checks by The Straits Times found that there are no local companies registered to either Team Labs or its predecessor Codexia Studios. A Google Maps listing of Codexia Studios' permanently closed office in Robinson Road also features a review from a Mr Lin Hanrong, who was a contracted staff at Team Labs.
Most of the links on Team Labs' website redirect to a link to create an account, which does not register.
Its website states that its products are used by several large players globally, such as Coca-Cola, Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Spotify. However, an editor's note on CNA's original article notes that these references were removed following clarifications from Mr Dalal.
The note also said that CNA is investigating the story and will take all appropriate steps once its editorial review is complete.
CNA’s original article included details of how Mr Dalal had first got into software development through developer forums and how he secured investment from VC firms through virtual calls. He developed his first app with other teenagers he had met on a forum when he was a Secondary 1 student, Mr Dalal said in the interview then. The broadcaster also spoke to his mother, Ms Manju Dalal, a financial journalist. One of the videos of Mr Dalal’s interview has since been taken down.
Attempts by ST to contact him through email and phone have both been unsuccessful. Mr Dalal's LinkedIn profile has also since been taken down.
In addition, the number of employees Team Labs said it had in its CNA interview - 120 - also seems to be inflated, with just five employees currently listed on the company's LinkedIn page. The 120 employees also included contractors and independent agencies, Mr Dalal later clarified with Tech in Asia.
Quest Ventures partner Jeffrey Seah noted that Mr Dalal has demonstrated intelligence and eloquence beyond most peers his age, and perhaps these skills could have been used for more purposeful endeavours.
Forbes perhaps did not have sufficient resources to do full due diligence checks on each of the 30 Under 30 Asia submissions, but Mr Seah acknowledged that there are many strong entrepreneurs among the list's alumni.
For early-stage VCs, the due diligence process tends to be more focused on the founders than businesses, he said, and added that he would focus on signs of grit, fundraising charisma and the individual's networks as part of his assessment.
Founder of angel network AngelCentral Huang Shao-ning said that most of the venture capital firms have rather stringent due diligence workflows and spend a good amount of time getting to know founders before investing in start-ups.
"Within the ecosystem, we check around for feedback as well," she said, but noted that there could be greater checks done by media, even if the information is not publicly available.
National University of Singapore's (NUS) Associate Professor Lawrence Loh said that the ball currently sits in Forbes' court, adding that while Forbes has withdrawn Mr Dalal from their list, their reasons for so have been opaque.
Media outlets who have reported the Team Labs' co-founder's claims could also take action against him if Mr Dalal is found to have misrepresented information, the director of NUS's Centre for Governance and Sustainability added.
Another liar
Singapore entrepreneur Harsh Dalal removed from Forbes list amid reports of unverifiable claims
Mr Harsh Dalal (bottom left) was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Forbes Asia.PHOTO: FORBES ASIA
Choo Yun Ting
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - Local entrepreneur Harsh Dalal claimed to run a US$25 million (S$33.4 million) tech start-up and was one of the honorees of Forbes' annual 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021.
But less than a month after being named on the list of 300 entrepreneurs, the 19-year-old co-founder and chief executive of Singapore-based Team Labs has been removed amid reports that some of his previous claims cannot be verified.
On Wednesday (May 12), Forbes Asia editor Justin Doebele said in an article that the publication was removing Mr Dalal from its 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2021.
"His removal comes after a careful consideration of the findings of a comprehensive review of the information that was used to qualify him for the list, as well as new information that has come to light in recent days," he wrote, adding that Forbes has also taken significant steps to tighten its evaluation process.
Mr Dalal, who recently graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in business administration, was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Forbes Asia, among other honorees on the list. His video interview with CNA for its On The Red Dot series published in January has garnered over 900,000 views as of Friday (May 14).
However, a detailed investigation by Singapore-based online tech media publication Tech in Asia found inconsistencies in several of his claims, including his US$9.8 million Series A round raised from venture capital (VC) firm Grand Canyon Capital.
Mr Dalal told Tech in Asia after several conversations that Team Labs' numbers were "conveyed by" Grand Canyon Capital and cannot be attributed to him. The investor was also responsible for incorporating the company and managing the firm day-to-day, he added.
However, several links on Grand Canyon Capital's website are not working, and the site's claims that it is an investor in prominent tech-enabled companies Uber, Deliveroo and Airbnb cannot be corroborated.
The VC firm has also little presence online, with the only online mentions traced to Team Labs.
Checks by The Straits Times found that there are no local companies registered to either Team Labs or its predecessor Codexia Studios. A Google Maps listing of Codexia Studios' permanently closed office in Robinson Road also features a review from a Mr Lin Hanrong, who was a contracted staff at Team Labs.
Most of the links on Team Labs' website redirect to a link to create an account, which does not register.
Its website states that its products are used by several large players globally, such as Coca-Cola, Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Spotify. However, an editor's note on CNA's original article notes that these references were removed following clarifications from Mr Dalal.
The note also said that CNA is investigating the story and will take all appropriate steps once its editorial review is complete.
CNA’s original article included details of how Mr Dalal had first got into software development through developer forums and how he secured investment from VC firms through virtual calls. He developed his first app with other teenagers he had met on a forum when he was a Secondary 1 student, Mr Dalal said in the interview then. The broadcaster also spoke to his mother, Ms Manju Dalal, a financial journalist. One of the videos of Mr Dalal’s interview has since been taken down.
Attempts by ST to contact him through email and phone have both been unsuccessful. Mr Dalal's LinkedIn profile has also since been taken down.
In addition, the number of employees Team Labs said it had in its CNA interview - 120 - also seems to be inflated, with just five employees currently listed on the company's LinkedIn page. The 120 employees also included contractors and independent agencies, Mr Dalal later clarified with Tech in Asia.
Room for greater due diligence
Amid the chatter online, netizens and those active in the tech ecosystem have noted that more stringent due diligence by media outlets could have been done to verify the claims made by Mr Dalal. Tech in Asia's editor-in-chief Terence Lee, in a LinkedIn post, pointed to how the Singapore Reddit community had been key in raising questions about the entrepreneur.Quest Ventures partner Jeffrey Seah noted that Mr Dalal has demonstrated intelligence and eloquence beyond most peers his age, and perhaps these skills could have been used for more purposeful endeavours.
Forbes perhaps did not have sufficient resources to do full due diligence checks on each of the 30 Under 30 Asia submissions, but Mr Seah acknowledged that there are many strong entrepreneurs among the list's alumni.
For early-stage VCs, the due diligence process tends to be more focused on the founders than businesses, he said, and added that he would focus on signs of grit, fundraising charisma and the individual's networks as part of his assessment.
Founder of angel network AngelCentral Huang Shao-ning said that most of the venture capital firms have rather stringent due diligence workflows and spend a good amount of time getting to know founders before investing in start-ups.
"Within the ecosystem, we check around for feedback as well," she said, but noted that there could be greater checks done by media, even if the information is not publicly available.
National University of Singapore's (NUS) Associate Professor Lawrence Loh said that the ball currently sits in Forbes' court, adding that while Forbes has withdrawn Mr Dalal from their list, their reasons for so have been opaque.
Media outlets who have reported the Team Labs' co-founder's claims could also take action against him if Mr Dalal is found to have misrepresented information, the director of NUS's Centre for Governance and Sustainability added.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2008
- Messages
- 12,468
- Points
- 113
#51
Yet another liar
Mr Spencer Tuppani was stabbed in the chest at Boon Tat Street on July 10, 2017. His lawyer Mahtani Bhagwandas was suspended for misconduct on May 14, 2021.PHOTO: ST FILE
Selina Lum
Law Correspondent
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - After her estranged husband was killed by her father in broad daylight, a woman turned to a lawyer, who had acted for her spouse in their impending divorce, for help with estate matters.
Ms Shyller Tan's husband, businessman Spencer Tuppani, 39, was stabbed in the chest on July 10, 2017, and collapsed in Boon Tat Street in front of a lunchtime crowd.
Her father, Tan Nam Seng, 73, was unhappy with how the younger man had treated his daughter and believed that his son-in-law was trying to cheat him of his business.
Mr Tuppani died without leaving a will and Ms Tan, 46, turned to his lawyer, Mr Mahtani Bhagwandas, for help because of his knowledge of her husband's assets.
Mr Mahtani agreed to help Ms Tan without disclosing that he was acting for an opposing party - Mr Tuppani's long-time mistress Joan Yeo, who later made a $3.4 million claim against his estate.
Ms Tan, who was unaware of the conflict of interest, was misled into revealing confidential information about her husband's assets to the lawyer.
She lodged a complaint to the Law Society against Mr Mahtani on May 22, 2019.
On Friday (May 14), Mr Mahtani was suspended from practice for two years by the Court of Three Judges, the highest disciplinary body here for the legal profession.
A disciplinary tribunal had referred Mr Mahtani to the court to be punished after finding him guilty of two misconduct charges last year.
One charge was for accepting to represent Ms Yeo in her claim against the estate, despite having acquired confidential information about Mr Tuppani's assets while engaged as his lawyer.
The other charge was for failing to make a timely disclosure to Ms Tan about his conflict of interest, which resulted in her revealing confidential information.
According to the tribunal's report, days after the fatal stabbing, Ms Yeo met Mr Mahtani to seek advice on a Toyota Alphard that was in Mr Tuppani's name but bought with her funds, as well as about the recovery of loans she had made to him.
Mr Spencer Tuppani was stabbed in the chest at Boon Tat Street on July 10, 2017. His lawyer Mahtani Bhagwandas was suspended for misconduct on May 14, 2021. PHOTOS: ST FILE, SPENCER TUPPANI/FACEBOOK
Mr Mahtani was formally appointed to represent Ms Yeo on Aug 8, 2017.
He also met Ms Tan, who shared with him information about Mr Tuppani's assets. On Aug 19, 2017, Ms Tan asked Mr Mahtani in a text message if he could help with the estate, and he replied that he definitely could.
Ms Tan said she later questioned if he was acting in her best interest when he tried to discourage her from litigating with Ms Yeo.
He said she did not protest against the conflict of interest until the estate filed its defence in a lawsuit brought by Ms Yeo in 2019.
The tribunal rejected Mr Mahtani's account, saying that Ms Tan would not have confided in him if she had known he was acting for Ms Yeo, as there was "no love lost" between the two women.
Separately, Mr Tuppani's mother, Madam Tham Poh Kwai, has sued Tan Nam Seng, seeking more than $5,000 a month in damages and losses.
Yet another liar
Boon Tat Street death: Lawyer for victim's mistress suspended for 2 years after widow's complaint
Mr Spencer Tuppani was stabbed in the chest at Boon Tat Street on July 10, 2017. His lawyer Mahtani Bhagwandas was suspended for misconduct on May 14, 2021.PHOTO: ST FILE
Selina Lum
Law Correspondent
May 14, 2021
SINGAPORE - After her estranged husband was killed by her father in broad daylight, a woman turned to a lawyer, who had acted for her spouse in their impending divorce, for help with estate matters.
Ms Shyller Tan's husband, businessman Spencer Tuppani, 39, was stabbed in the chest on July 10, 2017, and collapsed in Boon Tat Street in front of a lunchtime crowd.
Her father, Tan Nam Seng, 73, was unhappy with how the younger man had treated his daughter and believed that his son-in-law was trying to cheat him of his business.
Mr Tuppani died without leaving a will and Ms Tan, 46, turned to his lawyer, Mr Mahtani Bhagwandas, for help because of his knowledge of her husband's assets.
Mr Mahtani agreed to help Ms Tan without disclosing that he was acting for an opposing party - Mr Tuppani's long-time mistress Joan Yeo, who later made a $3.4 million claim against his estate.
Ms Tan, who was unaware of the conflict of interest, was misled into revealing confidential information about her husband's assets to the lawyer.
She lodged a complaint to the Law Society against Mr Mahtani on May 22, 2019.
On Friday (May 14), Mr Mahtani was suspended from practice for two years by the Court of Three Judges, the highest disciplinary body here for the legal profession.
A disciplinary tribunal had referred Mr Mahtani to the court to be punished after finding him guilty of two misconduct charges last year.
One charge was for accepting to represent Ms Yeo in her claim against the estate, despite having acquired confidential information about Mr Tuppani's assets while engaged as his lawyer.
The other charge was for failing to make a timely disclosure to Ms Tan about his conflict of interest, which resulted in her revealing confidential information.
According to the tribunal's report, days after the fatal stabbing, Ms Yeo met Mr Mahtani to seek advice on a Toyota Alphard that was in Mr Tuppani's name but bought with her funds, as well as about the recovery of loans she had made to him.
Mr Spencer Tuppani was stabbed in the chest at Boon Tat Street on July 10, 2017. His lawyer Mahtani Bhagwandas was suspended for misconduct on May 14, 2021. PHOTOS: ST FILE, SPENCER TUPPANI/FACEBOOK
Mr Mahtani was formally appointed to represent Ms Yeo on Aug 8, 2017.
He also met Ms Tan, who shared with him information about Mr Tuppani's assets. On Aug 19, 2017, Ms Tan asked Mr Mahtani in a text message if he could help with the estate, and he replied that he definitely could.
Ms Tan said she later questioned if he was acting in her best interest when he tried to discourage her from litigating with Ms Yeo.
She broke off contact with Mr Mahtani after she learnt from a letter from his firm on Nov 24, 2017 that he was acting for Ms Yeo.
Mr Mahtani denied that he had agreed to act for the estate. He said he had told Ms Tan that he was acting for Ms Yeo.He said she did not protest against the conflict of interest until the estate filed its defence in a lawsuit brought by Ms Yeo in 2019.
The tribunal rejected Mr Mahtani's account, saying that Ms Tan would not have confided in him if she had known he was acting for Ms Yeo, as there was "no love lost" between the two women.
Separately, Mr Tuppani's mother, Madam Tham Poh Kwai, has sued Tan Nam Seng, seeking more than $5,000 a month in damages and losses.
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