Indian jailed for attacking Singapore police officer

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Singapore, June 12 (IANS) An Indian has been charged in Singapore with attempting to assault a police officer and causing annoyance to the public in a drunken state.

Murugesan Ragupathiraja, 25, faces 10 charges, three of which were committed on Sunday when he attempted to assault a police officer at an apartment block in the Everton Park housing estate, Channel News Asia reported on Wednesday.

He was also charged with causing annoyance to the public while drunk and committing mischief by kicking two wooden benches at Duxton Plain Park.

The other charges include robbing a man of 160 Singaporean dollars, an ATM card and a bag after rubbing chilli powder into the victim's eyes, using indecent words against a public officer inside a police van, spitting at a police officer and slapping each side of a police officer's face.

Ragupathiraja, who was remanded to custody on Tuesday, also had his bail revoked. He was out on bail when he allegedly committed the fresh offences, the police said in a statement.

A video posted on social media showed Ragupathiraja arguing with police officers at Everton Park, before he charged at an officer, who drew his baton in response. Another officer later discharged his taser and the officers arrested the man.

Ragupathiraja is set to return to court on July 9. If found guilty of causing annoyance to the public while drunk, he could be jailed for up to six months, fined a maximum of 1,000 Singaporean dollars, or both.

If convicted of assaulting a police officer to prevent him from discharging his duty, he could be jailed for up to four years, fined, or both. For damaging the wooden benches, he could be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

--IANS

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