Lawyer M Ravi
charged with criminal trespass
SINGAPORE: Non-practising lawyer M Ravi was charged on Friday
(Jun 30) with one count of criminal trespass “with intent to
annoy”, for allegedly trespassing into the offices of law firm
Eugene Thuraisingam LLP at People’s Park Complex.
Ravi, 48, is accused of committing trespass when he allegedly
entered the firm's office at about 2.16pm on Tuesday, "with intent
to annoy" the firm’s security officer Rueben Rajandran, court
documents state. He was charged alongside George Lai Yew Thiam, 56,
who faces the same charge.
Ravi was hired by Mr Thuraisingam on Oct 1 last year as the head of
knowledge management and strategic alliance. He was sacked on Jun 7
after he became “unmanageable”, an employee of the firm said.
Channel NewsAsia understands the security officer was hired to
prevent Ravi from forcing his way into the firm’s offices following
his sacking. Ravi had allegedly broken the locks before to get into
the firm.
Ravi was arrested on Thursday evening and held overnight. He was
brought to court on Friday morning in an unmarked police car.
Ravi was barred by the High Court from applying for a practising
certificate for two years in September last year, following a
conviction for misconduct.
“He had nothing and nowhere to go. We gave him a helping hand,” Mr
Eugene Thuraisingam told Channel NewsAsia. “We took him in because
we believe in second chances.”
In judgment grounds released in October, the Court of Three Judges
said Ravi’s mental condition was to blame for his “deplorable”
conduct “in relation to the judiciary, his clients and the
profession as a whole”.
Ravi had made “baseless, racially charged allegations” against the
president of the Law Society of Singapore and two other lawyers,
the court said.
Ravi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006.
In court on Friday, Ravi said he intended to contest the trespass
charge. He told the court he was a "lawful tenant" of the firm's
premises at People's Park Centre. "I pay half the rent," Ravi
claimed.
A police prosecutor urged the court to send Ravi to the Institute
of Mental Health (IMH) for psychiatric assessment. But Ravi argued
that since he had an "acute awareness of (his) condition", is on
medication and is able to understand the proceedings and charge
against him, there was no need to remand him at IMH.
Ravi added he sees both a psychiatrist and psychologist, and
acknowledged that he had been "a little animated" lately due to the
"excitement" of his High Court hearing. Ravi, who called himself a
"constitutional expert of Singapore" had launched a challenge
against recent changes to the Elected Presidency scheme. His
challenge was dismissed on Jun 15.
When questioned by District Judge Adam Nakhoda about his demeanour
during investigations, Ravi said he had been in a "joyous" mood and
singing songs but had refused to answer any questions, choosing to
exercise his rights and "privilege against
self-incrimination".
Deciding against remanding Ravi at IMH, the district judge granted
him bail at S$5,000. Ravi will next appear in court for a pre-trial
conference on Jul 7, together with Lai, who was similarly granted
bail at S$5,000.
As part of their bail conditions, the men are not to visit the
firm's offices or to discuss the case publicly on any platform, the
judge said.
For committing trespass, Ravi and Lai could face up to three
months’ jail and a fine of up to S$1,500.
Source: CNA/cy