SINGAPORE: A private investigator has claimed that
he was abused and handcuffed by a Certis Cisco officer outside the
Embassy of Israel while he was investigating an alleged adultery
case, and is suing the security company and its employee Chua Geok
Teck for assault and wrongful arrest.
Mr Simon Suppiah Sunmugam, 62, was conducting
surveillance around the vicinity of Stevens Road and Dalvey Road on
March 10, 2009, when the alleged abuse took place, the High Court
heard on the first day of hearings on Tuesday.
Mr Sunmugam said that he had not been aware the
embassy was nearby as there are no signs indicating it was a
restricted place.
In court papers, the former police officer claimed that on the day
of the incident, a male Caucasian employee of the embassy's
security department had first approached him. Mr Sunmugam had said
that he was waiting for someone, and Mr Chua was alerted to the
incident.
Mr Sunmugam claimed that Mr Chua had approached him in an
aggressive manner and he was accused of being a suspected
terrorist.
He added that Mr Chua then violently handcuffed his right wrist and
swiped at his feet, causing him to fall face down onto the ground.
Throughout the incident, Mr Sunmugam did not declare that he is a
private investigator.
In court, Mr Sunmugam said he was restrained for 30 minutes and his
handcuffed hand was yanked many times, causing him tremendous pain.
As a result, he was emotionally and psychologically disturbed for a
year, he said.
The court also heard that Mr Sunmugam had his injuries captured on
video and photographs.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Gary Low said that Mr
Sunmugam's account is "completely inconsistent" with his
case.
He told Mr Sunmugam: "Your account is wholly unbelievable and
grossly exaggerating", and noted that Mr Sunmugam's medical report
following the incident indicated that he was "discharged well
without the need for a follow up".
The court also heard that Mr Sunmugam had insulted Mr Chua by
saying he is "lowly educated" and is "not a real policeman", while
Mr Chua had remained polite.
Mr Low added that when Mr Chua attempted to reach for Mr Sunmugam's
bag, Mr Sunmugam shoved Mr Chua's hand away and caused the latter
to fall. Mr Sunmugam disagreed with Mr Low, saying he neither
insulted nor pushed Mr Chua.
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
-- TODAY