Teesha
Indian National Prathiban Balachandran pleaded guilty on 14th May, 2021 to the charge of exposing others to the risk of COVID-19 infection and leaving isolation area without permission.
Prathiban is a 26 year old migrant worker, who was suspected to be COVID positive and failed to stay at the hospital as directed, instead he used public transport to Changi Airport where he loitered for hours in order to fly back home.
The maximum penalties for exposing others to the risk of infection are six months’ jail, a Singapore $10,000 fine, or both.
In 2020 May 23rd, the accused reported sick because of which he was taken to Singapore General Hospital by ambulance for swab test. After which he was transferred to the hospital’s car park, where the staff briefed him repeatedly in English and Tamil not to leave until his tests were ready and not to go anywhere until elsewise stated.
On the same day he left the hospital without informing anyone, intending to go to the airport in order to buy tickets to India which he was refused by the airport authority.
The CCTV footage showed him loitering around for four hours.
The taxi driver who took him to the Airport was directed to quarantine for 14 days and Pratibhan was escorted back to the SGH once he was found by the police.
On June 8th, 2020 he completed his isolation period and was directed to go back to his dormitory and serve another 14 days leave of absence.
However, once again he left the dorm on June 16th and visited airport and once denied the tickets, he slept there and then headed towards his relative’s house who in turn informed the authorities about the same.
Pratibhan is accused of using insulting words for the authorities questioning their dignity and authority.
Prosecution pleaded the maximum six months jail for Pratibhan, However the Defence requested a Psychiatric observation of Pratibhan at Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation considering his past medical records.
The judge ordered Prathiban to be remanded at IMH for psychiatric observation. Parties will return in June for further hearings.