Torture the Iraqi convicts and get 10 years jail; Cause the
death of a Singapore soldier during training at most 9 months jail
nia. 
THE FOUR commandos implicated in the dunking incident in which a
trainee was
killed and another seriously hurt were yesterday sentenced to jail.
Lieutenants Ng Chin Fong and Divanadhari Ambat Chandrasekharan were
each sentenced to nine months in jail for causing the death of
Second Sergeant Hu Enhuai,
and each received another nine months for injuring Captain Ho Wan
Huo. Their jail terms will run concurrently. Both commandos, who
had stuck their
fingers in the trainees noses to stop them from holding their
breath, were held more culpable than the other two convicted
officers. Captain Pandiaraj Mayandi was sent to jail for three
months for instigating the dunkings, while Warrant Officer S
Balakrishnan received a two-month jail term for failing to stop
them.
During combat survival training (CST) at Pulau Tekong in August
2003, Sgt Hu
drowned after he was dunked repeatedly in a tub of seawater. Cpt Ho
survived but had to be warded in intensive care. Yesterday, the
court was packed with
friends, family members and colleagues of the four convicted men.
Former trainees shook hands with them and gave them hugs and
reassuring pats. In his oral judgment, District Judge Ng Peng Hong
said the two lieutenants had
subjected the defenceless trainees to treatment he deemed
shocking and senseless. Their torturous and inhumane actions
went beyond what was permitted.
As for the captain and warrant officer, DJ Ng said that by failing
to do anything about the exercise, both men had exhibited
callousness. The judge agreed with the prosecution that the manner
in which the defence had been conducted must be considered in
sentencing. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wee Soon said the
lieutenants had called a defence witness who implied the police and
prosecution had withheld some photographs. They had also made a
spurious allegation that the combat survival training lesson plan
was nowhere to be found. In defending themselves, the officers had
made allegations to bring dishonour and disrepute to the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
In their mitigation pleas, lawyers for the four commandos tendered
testimonials and highlighted their clients contributions to the
SAF.
The officers also said they were sorry for Sgt Hus death and Capt
Hos injuries.
But Mr Selva Naidu, who acted for Capt Pandiaraj, also said: If
dunking is wrong in itself, then it must be observed that the
dunking carried out in the 80th CST was a result of not only of
Capt Pandiarajs briefing, but was also a result of systemic
lapse.
In turn, the prosecution noted that the captain had a habit of
blaming everyone else but himself. Mr Alfonso Ang, who acts for
Sgt Hus family, said: The family has suffered much pain over
Enhuais death and they hope to
overcome their grief as soon as possible. They now consider the
matter closed.
Capt Pandiaraj and Warrant Officer Balakrishnan, are appealing the
judges decision.