Singapore's Strict Justice: Two Indians Jailed and Caned for Violent Robbery of Sex Workers

In a stark reminder of Singapore's unyielding stance on crime, two Indian nationals have been handed severe sentences for a violent robbery targeting sex workers. Arokkiyasami Daison Rajendran, 37, and Mayilarasan, 32, were each sentenced to five years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane by the Singaporean courts after pleading guilty to robbery with common intention and voluntarily causing hurt.

Their desperate act, allegedly driven by financial hardship, unfolded in a hotel in Geylang, leaving their victims traumatized and their own lives irrevocably altered.

The chilling incident transpired on the evening of November 11, 2022, around 11:30 PM. Rajendran, identified as the primary instigator, along with Mayilarasan, had reportedly been contemplating the robbery for some time, fueled by mounting financial difficulties.

The duo, both in Singapore for work, claimed they needed money to support their families back in India, leading them down a perilous path of desperation.

Their plan involved posing as clients to gain entry into the hotel room where the sex workers were operating. Once inside, the facade quickly dissolved into a terrifying ordeal.

Brandishing a knife, the assailants overpowered their unsuspecting victims. They used cable ties to bind the women's hands and legs, and then gagged them with cloth, effectively rendering them helpless and silenced. The atmosphere in the room turned from a professional encounter to one of sheer terror as the robbers ransacked the premises.

The thieves made off with a substantial haul, including S$1,100 in cash, four mobile phones, a watch, a gold chain, and a credit card.

The victims, once freed, immediately reported the harrowing incident to the authorities, triggering a swift police investigation. Singapore's highly efficient law enforcement agencies quickly tracked down and apprehended Rajendran and Mayilarasan, bringing their brief foray into crime to an abrupt end.

During their court proceedings, both men expressed remorse, citing their dire financial situation as the impetus for their actions.

However, the Singaporean judicial system is known for its strict and uncompromising approach, particularly concerning violent crimes. The prosecution highlighted the premeditated nature of the robbery, the use of a weapon, and the physical restraint and psychological trauma inflicted upon the victims.

The sentences of five years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane serve as a powerful deterrent and a clear message about the consequences of criminal behavior in the city-state.

The caning, a form of corporal punishment, is particularly reserved for serious offenses and underscores the severity with which the Singaporean government treats such acts of violence and robbery. This case stands as a grim reminder that while financial struggles can be immense, resorting to crime carries profoundly harsh and life-altering repercussions.