The men, 23-year-old Arokkiyasami Daison and 27-year-old Rajendran Mayilarasan, went to Singapore on September 24 for a holiday. (Photo: Straitstimes)
Two men from India have been sentenced in Singapore to five years and one month in prison each. They were also given 12 strokes of the cane for robbing and hurting two sex workers in hotel rooms. The case drew attention because of the violence involved and Singapore’s strict laws.
The men, 23-year-old Arokkiyasami Daison and 27-year-old Rajendran Mayilarasan, went to Singapore on September 24 for a holiday. On September 26, a man in Little India asked if they wanted to hire sex workers and gave them contact details of two women.
Arokkiyasami said they needed money and suggested luring the women to their hotel rooms to rob them. Rajendran agreed, and they carried out the plan that evening.
The first woman went to a hotel room in Jalan Besar, and the men tied her hands and legs with clothing, hit her, and stole $2,000 in cash, jewelry, her passport, and bank cards.
Later, they contacted the second woman and met her at another hotel on Desker Road. They dragged her inside, covered her mouth, and stole $800 in cash, two mobile phones, and her passport. They also threatened her not to report them.
The second woman told another person about the crime the next day, and police arrested the two men soon after.
In court, the accused did not have a lawyer and asked for a lighter sentence. Arokkiyasami said, “I have three sisters, one of whom is married, and we have no money. My wife and child are alone in India.” He also said his father had died the previous year.
Singapore law allows five to 20 years in prison and at least 12 cane strokes for hurting someone during a robbery. The court gave both men the minimum prison sentence and 12 cane strokes. The punishment shows the seriousness of the crime and aims to prevent others from doing similar acts.
