Indian-Origin Man Fined ₹4,50,000 for Abusing Hospital Staff and Police in Singapore

Singapore: A 30-year-old Indian-origin man, Mohanarajan Mohan, was fined SGD7,000 ( Rs 4,51,955) on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two charges under the Protection from Harassment Act. The charges stem from an incident on April 14 at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where Mohanarajan, who was intoxicated, verbally abused a doctor, a security officer, and police officers.

State Prosecuting Officer A Majeed Yosuff detailed that Mohanarajan was admitted to the hospital in an unconscious state. Upon regaining consciousness in the accident and emergency (A&E) department, he demanded to be discharged and began insulting the medical staff. When an auxiliary police officer attempted to calm him, Mohanarajan directed vulgarities at him as well.

As he was being escorted out of the A&E department, Mohanarajan continued to yell at the auxiliary police officer. Outside the hospital, two police officers who responded to the scene were also subjected to verbal abuse. Mohanarajan allegedly shouted at one officer, "By law, I am not inside the hospital, right? Can you guys leave me alone?" and abused additional officers who arrived later.

Even while in the police vehicle, Mohanarajan persisted in his verbal abuse and kicked the interior of the vehicle despite being instructed not to.

In mitigation, Mohanarajan, who represented himself in court, attributed his behavior to stress and depression related to a divorce he was undergoing at the time. He expressed remorse, stating, "I am very remorseful for what I did, and I do not want to repeat these offences because I respect Singapore's law and regulations."

He requested leniency, noting that he is currently attending counseling sessions and pursuing a diploma.

District Judge Sandra Looi acknowledged Mohanarajan's efforts to improve his situation, stating, "I am heartened to hear that you are pursuing education and are determined to never be in a similar state as you are in today again." She emphasized the importance of respecting public service officers, adding, "Our public service officers who serve our society deserve our utmost respect. That I am sure we all will agree."