SINGAPORE: Former lawyer M Ravi was jailed on Friday (Aug 2) for his latest string of crimes that involved pushing or injuring strangers and acquaintances – including a priest at a temple.
The 55-year-old Singaporean was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail, fined S$5,500 (US$4,120) and ordered to pay S$30 as compensation to one of the victims he injured.
While the disbarred human rights lawyer has been known for his brushes with the law, this is the first time he is being sentenced to jail for criminal offences.
He was previously given a mandatory treatment order (MTO) in 2018 to address his bipolar disorder, a condition he has been outspoken about.
In sentencing, Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan largely rejected the defence’s call to place mitigating weight on Ravi’s bipolar condition.
This was because of several factors – first, he has had insight into his condition for many years, but still failed to fully comply with treatment and medication.
Also, Ravi was already given an MTO in 2018.
However, Judge Tan gave some mitigating weight to his bipolar condition for the earliest set of offences, which occurred roughly around the same time as Ravi’s contempt of court offences.
The High Court had also given weight to Ravi’s bipolar condition in sentencing him to 21 days’ jail for contempt of court.
Prosecutors had argued for no mitigating weight to be placed on Ravi’s bipolar disorder, even though the High Court had considered it in the contempt of court case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh said that a judgment laying out sentencing principles for offenders with mental conditions had come out roughly the same time as the High Court’s judgment – meaning it was likely the High Court was unable to take reference from the principles that were laid out.
WHAT HE DID
Ravi’s latest string of crimes took place from November 2021 to September 2023.
He attacked two paralegals at a law firm where he was practising under supervision, slapped a man he knew at a bookstore in Chinatown and pushed a restaurant employee in South Bridge Road.
He also made a scene at Sri Mariamman Temple on Jul 9, 2023, pushing his way to the front of queueing devotees, tipping over a plate of offerings and smearing holy ash on himself.
He pushed a priest who was trying to intervene and asked loudly why there were so many foreigners and a need to queue.
The prosecution sought 18 to 24 weeks’ jail for Ravi and a fine, while defence lawyers Mr Eugene Thuraisingam and Mr Ng Yuan Siang asked for not more than seven weeks’ jail and a fine.
Ravi 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.
In November last year, he was sentenced to 21 days in jail for nine instances of contempt of court – the first time he was given a jail sentence. He was disbarred months later for improper conduct.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS
In sentencing, Judge Tan rejected several of the defence’s arguments. The defence had argued that lapses were “inherent” to Ravi’s condition, but the judge said it makes no sense for a psychiatrist to get Ravi to return for follow-ups and medication if the nature of his condition makes him unlikely to comply.
The defence had argued that Ravi had complied with treatment for some of the offences, but the judge said there was no real evidence for full compliance other than Ravi’s own words.
Judge Tan said Ravi has to understand and accept that not complying with his treatment and medication has consequences not only to himself, but members of the public.
He said the sentence will be a “stern reminder” of the vital importance of Ravi’s full adherence with his treatment regime in future.
The jail term will also give him sufficient time to “become accustomed” to the reality that he has to take his medication in a “disciplined manner”.
“Ultimately, it is only by the accused helping himself through being more disciplined and determined as regards compliance with his medication-taking and treatment can he hope to adequately address his bipolar disorder, and avoid causing harm to others, as well as damage to himself, in the future,” said the judge.
Even after taking in the time Ravi has spent remanded, he is likely to spend several more weeks in prison, said the judge.
He allowed Ravi some time to make some calls before being taken away.