Two Indian men on vacation in Singapore were sentenced to five years and one month in prison and 12 strokes of the cane each after being found guilty of robbing and assaulting two sex workers in hotel rooms. The sentencing was handed down by a Singapore court on Friday, according to The Straits Times.
The accused, Arokkiyasami Daison (23) and Rajendran Mayilarasan (27), both pleaded guilty to charges of voluntarily causing hurt while committing robbery. The court heard that the men carried out the attacks just two days after arriving in Singapore for what was supposed to be a short vacation.
Arrival in Singapore and the Criminal Plan
The two men arrived in Singapore from India on April 24 for a holiday. On April 26, while exploring the Little India area, they were approached by an unidentified man who offered to introduce them to women providing sexual services.
The stranger gave them contact details for two women before leaving. However, instead of seeking their services, the men decided to rob the women to make quick money.
According to court documents, Arokkiyasami suggested the idea, telling Rajendran that they were running out of cash and could rob the women in their hotel rooms. Rajendran agreed, and the two proceeded to execute the plan the same day.
First Robbery: Violence and Theft in Hotel Room
Later that evening, around 6 p.m., the duo contacted the first woman and arranged to meet her in a hotel room. Once inside, they attacked her, tying her hands and legs using pieces of clothing.
The court was told that Arokkiyasami slapped the woman repeatedly while Rajendran searched the room. The pair stole SGD 2,000 (approx. ₹1.2 lakh) in cash, the woman’s jewellery, passport, and bank cards, before fleeing the scene.
The victim, terrified and restrained, managed to free herself and later reported the incident to her acquaintances, but she did not immediately approach the authorities.
Second Robbery: Repeat Offence the Same Night
Just hours later, at around 11 p.m., the two men contacted the second woman using the number provided earlier by the same stranger. They asked her to meet them at another hotel in the city.
When the woman arrived, the men immediately turned violent. They dragged her by her arms into the room, with Rajendran covering her mouth to stop her from screaming.
They then stole SGD 800 in cash, two mobile phones, and her passport. Before leaving, they threatened the victim not to leave the room or contact anyone until they returned.
The woman, frightened and shaken, confided in a friend the next day, who encouraged her to contact the police. Her report led to the swift arrest of both suspects.
Police Investigation and Arrest(Two Indian Tourists Jailed)
Singapore police acted quickly after receiving the complaint from the second victim. Investigators tracked down the suspects using CCTV footage and hotel records, confirming that both Arokkiyasami and Rajendran had checked into the same locations on the day of the crimes.
They were arrested within days and confessed during interrogation. Evidence recovered from them included cash, stolen passports, and personal belongings of the victims.
Plea for Leniency Rejected by Court
During the sentencing hearing, both men appeared in court without legal representation and pleaded for leniency. They claimed financial hardship and family struggles as reasons behind their actions.
Through an interpreter, Arokkiyasami told the court, “My father passed away last year. I have three sisters, and only one of them is married. We had no money, and that is why I did this.”
ALSO READ- From Household Chores to DSP: Anju Yadav’s Inspiring JourneyRajendran also pleaded for mercy, saying, “My wife and child are alone in India, and they are suffering financially. I made a mistake out of desperation.”
However, the prosecution argued that the crimes were premeditated and violent, and that both men had deliberately targeted vulnerable women. The court agreed, emphasizing that Singapore maintains strict laws against violent and sexual crimes.
The Sentence and Legal Implications
Judge Tan Wei Ming sentenced each of the accused to five years and one month in jail and 12 strokes of the cane. The judge noted that while the men expressed remorse, their actions involved intentional harm and theft, which warranted a strong deterrent sentence.
Under Singaporean law, anyone found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt during a robbery can face a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane.
The caning sentence—still practiced under Singapore’s criminal justice system—is typically imposed for severe offenses involving violence, robbery, or sexual assault.
A Harsh Lesson for Foreign Offenders
The case has drawn attention for its shocking brutality and as a reminder to foreign tourists about Singapore’s zero-tolerance policy toward crime. Authorities maintain that tourists are expected to obey the country’s strict laws, and any deviation will result in severe punishment.
Both Arokkiyasami and Rajendran are expected to serve their full sentences before being deported back to India upon release.
By
