Former Indian-origin Singaporean lawyer M Ravi, 55, was sentenced today to 14 weeks’ jail and fined SGD 5,500 (USD 4,120) for his latest string of crimes that involved pushing or injuring strangers and acquaintances, including a Hindu temple priest.
Ravi, who is a disbarred human rights lawyer, was also ordered to pay SGD 30 as compensation to one of the victims he had injured, Channel News Asia reported.
He had committed the offences between November 2021 and September 2023.
On July 9, 2023, Ravi made a scene at Sri Mariamman Temple, pushing his way to the front of queuing devotees, tipping over a plate of offerings, and smearing holy ash on himself.
At this temple, he pushed a priest who was trying to intervene and asked loudly why there were so many foreigners and the need for a queue. The century-old temple is one of the favourite spots among tourists in Singapore.
While Ravi has been known for his brushes with the law, this is the first time he is being sentenced to jail for criminal offences, according to the CNA report.
He was previously given a mandatory treatment order (MTO) in 2018 to address his bipolar disorder, a condition he has been outspoken about.
Once, while practising under supervision at a Singapore law firm, he attacked two paralegals. On other occasions, Ravi slapped one of his acquaintances in Chinatown, and shoved a restaurant employee in another part of Singapore, according to the CNA report.
During sentencing, Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan largely rejected the defence lawyer’s call to place mitigating weight on Ravi’s bipolar condition.
Ravi has had insight into his condition for many years, but still failed to fully comply with treatment and medication.
The prosecution sought 18 to 24 weeks’ jail for Ravi and a fine, while defence lawyers asked for not more than 7 weeks’ jail and a fine.
The convict was previously fined for disorderly behaviour in 2004 and given the MTO in 2018 for causing hurt by a rash act and lurking house trespass, among other charges.
