Indian national jailed 35 months for pushing intoxicated man into Singapore River, causing death

A 22-year-old Indian national, Legha Pawan, was sentenced to 35 months’ imprisonment on 16 July 2025 for pushing an intoxicated man into the Singapore River, resulting in his death by drowning.

Legha, a student, pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to Jasbir Singh, 33, which resulted in grievous hurt in the form of death. His original charge of causing death by a rash act was reduced before sentencing. A second charge was taken into consideration.

The incident occurred on the night of 30 June 2024 near Clarke Quay, an area popular for nightlife and dining.

The court heard that Legha and several of his housemates had left their Woodlands flat for a night out at Clarke Quay, bringing along beer, cigarettes and snacks. They sat on the steps by the river, near the Paradox Singapore Merchant Court Hotel and Clarke Quay Central mall, drinking and socialising for several hours.

Legha consumed two cans of beer during the gathering. Later that night, the group was joined by other acquaintances, and shortly before 10pm, an argument broke out.

Witnesses said Legha, who was intoxicated, became aggressive, pulling a friend’s hair and needing to be restrained to prevent a fight. The group dispersed soon after, leaving Legha alone.

At around 10.10pm, the victim, Jasbir Singh, was seen walking along the same riverside area. Singh, a 33-year-old construction worker, was married with two young children in India.

According to court documents, Singh had begun drinking heavily two to three months earlier following his mother’s death. That night, he stopped by the riverbank and was seen hugging a lamp post near the steps where Legha had been earlier.

Although the two men did not know each other, Legha returned alone to the area at about 10.30pm and approached Singh, who was standing near the river’s edge.

A nearby couple, who had witnessed Legha’s earlier behaviour, noticed the interaction and grew concerned. Initially, Legha spoke to Singh quietly and without aggression.

However, without warning or provocation, Legha suddenly shoved Singh on the chest with both hands. Singh lost his balance, stumbled backwards down the steps, and fell into the river.

The couple shouted for help as Singh quickly submerged and failed to resurface. They alerted the police, while Legha fled the scene.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) was activated and deployed divers to search the waters in intervals of 30 to 45 minutes.

Apart from a single white slipper belonging to Singh, there was no trace of him until around 2am on 1 July 2024, when divers located his body on the riverbed. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

An autopsy later confirmed drowning as the cause of death. The pathologist found a bruise on the back of Singh’s neck and a laceration on the back of his head. Toxicology tests revealed a high concentration of alcohol in his blood.

Following the incident, Legha removed his shirt in an attempt to avoid detection and boarded a train home. He later called a housemate to meet him at another block, asking for his backpack, as he sought to evade police.

He returned to his Woodlands flat only around 8am the next morning, where he was arrested shortly after.

During police investigations, Legha claimed that Singh had grabbed and damaged his bangle and that he reacted after Singh allegedly used vulgar language against his mother. However, investigators found no evidence supporting his account.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Jheong Siew Yin told the court that Legha had acted without provocation and that it was reasonably foreseeable that pushing an intoxicated person near a river could result in serious injury or death.

She highlighted several aggravating factors, including Legha’s own intoxication, the lack of provocation, and his decision to flee the scene without attempting to assist the victim.

“The accused knew the victim was intoxicated and that the area was adjacent to deep water. It was reasonably foreseeable that such an act could cause grievous harm,” said DPP Jheong.

In mitigation, defence lawyer Simran Kaur Sandhu argued that both men were intoxicated and that the act was not premeditated. She described the shove as “a generic push” that did not target any vulnerable part of the body and stressed that no weapon was involved.

Sandhu sought a 30-month sentence, noting her client’s youth, cooperation with authorities after arrest, and remorse.

The court ultimately imposed a 35-month sentence, reflecting the seriousness of the consequences and Legha’s decision to flee the scene.

For voluntarily causing hurt that results in grievous hurt, Legha could have been jailed for up to five years, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

The case underscores how alcohol-fuelled acts of aggression can have fatal outcomes, even when no weapon is used.

Clarke Quay, a popular entertainment district along the Singapore River, has seen several alcohol-related incidents over the years, leading authorities to tighten enforcement of liquor control laws and step up public awareness campaigns on responsible drinking.

In its sentencing remarks, the court emphasised the need for deterrence in cases involving reckless acts under the influence of alcohol. It noted that while Legha did not intend to kill Singh, his deliberate and forceful push in a dangerous setting had caused an avoidable death.

The judge said that Legha’s conduct after the incident — including his attempt to evade detection — reflected poorly on his remorse. “The accused left the scene knowing the victim had fallen into the river and made no effort to assist or call for help,” the court stated.

Legha will serve his sentence in Singapore before returning to India upon completion of his jail term.