Indian-Origin Man Gets 5 Months Jail in Singapore for Molesting Woman

In a stern judicial response to a brazen act of molestation, 42-year-old Indian-origin man Om Kumar Rai was sentenced to five months' imprisonment on Friday for using criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty. Rai, who pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 354 of Singapore's Penal Code, approached his 22-year-old victim in the early hours of June 17, 2025, falsely claiming to be a work colleague of her father to gain her trust.

Prosecution details revealed that Rai swiftly escalated the encounter by leading the woman to a secluded area under the pretext of a private conversation. There, he molested her in what prosecutors described as an "undoubtedly intrusive" manner, violating her personal boundaries through unwanted physical contact. The victim, displaying remarkable composure, forcefully pushed him away and fled the scene unharmed. She promptly confided in her parents and lodged a police report by 9 a.m. that same day, enabling swift investigation by Singapore Police Force officers.

Deputy Public Prosecutor encouraged a custodial sentence of five to six months, citing the premeditated nature of Rai's deception and the vulnerability of the early-morning timing. Principal District Judge reprimanded Rai for exploiting a fabricated personal connection, emphasizing the offense's gravity in protecting public safety, especially for young women. The bench settled on five months, aligning with precedents for similar first-time offenders involving non-violent but intentional molestation—shorter than the maximum two-year jail term (recently enhanced from one year in 2020 reforms) but firm enough to deter.

Also Read: Bihar Man Arrested for Molesting Woman on Hanoi to Kolkata Flight at Airport

Under Section 354, penalties include up to two years' imprisonment, fines, caning, or a combination, reflecting Singapore's zero-tolerance stance on sexual offenses amid rising urban safety concerns. Court documents redacted the victim's name and precise location to safeguard her privacy, in line with standard protections for outrage-of-modesty cases.

This sentencing underscores Singapore's rigorous enforcement, with over 1,000 such cases prosecuted annually, often resulting in jail terms to uphold community trust.

Also Read: Bihar Man Arrested for Molesting Woman on Hanoi to Kolkata Flight at Airport