A 48-year-old Malaysian man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane after raping a foreign domestic worker near Little India MRT Station. The sentence was handed down on Thursday, Feb 26.
Sharveen Chetty pleaded guilty to one count of rape on the second day of his trial. Another rape charge and one charge of impersonating a police officer were taken into consideration during sentencing.
What Happened
The offence took place on Jul 11, 2022. At that time, Chetty was working as station staff at Little India MRT Station for SBS Transit.
That evening, the victim had met her boyfriend and friends and was sitting on a patch of grass outside one of the station exits. Chetty was on patrol in his uniform, carrying a patrol bag and wearing a body-worn camera around his neck.
Court documents stated that he “became sexually attracted” to the victim when he saw her. He then moved away from his usual patrol route. He retrieved a black jacket, a torchlight, and a cap from the passenger service centre to change his appearance and official role. Knowing there were closed-circuit television cameras in the station, he took a longer route back to the group.
He put on the cap and told the group he was with the police. He asked for their identification documents and used his body-worn camera. After returning the work permits, he told the victim to follow him. The rest of the group stayed behind, believing he was a police officer.
Chetty brought her to the nearby bushes and kissed her. When she pushed him away and questioned him, he threatened to have her and her friends blacklisted from working in Singapore. Afraid that he would carry out the threat, she complied. He then raped and sexually assaulted her.
After the attack, he left the area. The victim returned to her friends and appeared distressed. They approached auxiliary police officers and a report was made.
Court Findings
Justice Dedar Singh Gill said Chetty knew the victim was a foreigner who might not be familiar with local authorities. He said Chetty had targeted her because of her vulnerable position.
“The threat used under the claimed authority, which the victim believed, led her to submit to the vile acts of the accused,” the judge said. He added that Chetty’s actions degraded the victim and that acting under the colour of office helped isolate her.
Chetty left Singapore after the incident but was arrested on Jul 14, 2022 when he returned through Tuas Checkpoint. The prosecution asked for between 11 and 13 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane, saying he “audaciously sexually violated the victim in various ways, culminating in her rape”.
Under the law, rape carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine, or caning.
