Indian Man Sentenced to jail For 16 Years After Raping College Student in Singapore

In a recent case in Singapore, a 26-year-old Indian national was sentenced to 16 years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for a heinous crime that shocked the nation. The incident occurred in 2019 when the convicted individual, identified as Chinnaiah, targeted a university student.

According to reports, Chinnaiah stalked the university student as she walked to a bus stop late at night. He went to extreme lengths, first misleading her by pointing her in the wrong direction. Then, he resorted to physical violence, punching the young woman and subsequently dragging her to a forested area where he raped her.

The victim suffered severe injuries, including facial bruising, and other physical harm was so severe that her then-boyfriend could not recognize her when he visited her in the hospital. This harrowing incident took place on May 4, 2019.

The court learned that the delay in the case’s proceedings, spanning four years, was due to Chinnaiah’s mental condition, which necessitated multiple rounds of psychiatric evaluation.

During the assault, the victim courageously tried to defend herself by attempting to pull Chinnaiah’s hand away from her throat, as she struggled to breathe. Tragically, Chinnaiah responded by tightening his grip, making it even harder for her to breathe. He also threatened her to keep quiet, asserting that no one would hear her.

After committing the rape, Chinnaiah proceeded to rummage through the victim’s belongings, even drinking from her water bottle before pouring the remaining water over her lower body. Once he left, the student managed to retrieve a pair of scissors from her bag and held them, fearing Chinnaiah’s return.

In a remarkable display of courage, she was able to locate her mobile phone and contacted her boyfriend, who, in turn, alerted her friend to call the police. Upon their arrival, the student was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault examination, revealing multiple injuries, including scratches, bruises, and strangulation marks around her neck.

Chinnaiah was subsequently arrested on May 5, 2019. The prosecution sought a sentence of 15 to 17 years in jail and 16 to 18 strokes of the cane. They argued that the level of violence used in the crime was extreme, and the attack was relentless and vicious.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Yvonne Poon described Chinnaiah’s actions as premeditated and insidious, as he had numerous interactions with the victim and deliberately directed her away from her last possible route to safety. Poon also referenced the victim’s impact statement from July 13, 2023, where the young woman expressed enduring nightmares, flashbacks, thoughts of suicide, and feelings of shame.

In Singapore, for the crime of aggravated rape, the maximum sentence could have been up to 20 years in prison, with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane. This case highlights the importance of the justice system in addressing such heinous crimes and ensuring that perpetrators face severe consequences for their actions.