Singapore: Indian origin man sentenced in fatal gang fight in hotel

Singapore city: An Indian origin man linked to a fatal brawl at a hotel here in 2023 has been sentenced to more than a year in jail after pleading guilty to several counts, including punching and kicking another man during the fight, media reports said.

Sharvin Jay Nair, 25, was also fined SGD 2,000 for his involvement in the rival gang-inspired brawl at the Orchard Road hotel in which one person was killed.

On June 25, Nair pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing harm to Mohammad Isrrat Mohd Ismail, who died in the brawl at Concorde Hotel & Shopping Mall popular with tourists, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Nair also admitted to more charges of violence in 2022, including for possessing a stun gun without authorization.

He was sentenced to 12 months and eight weeks’ jail besides around Rs 1,23,074 in fine.

Isrrat suffered multiple injuries during the brawl in the Orchard Road area and was unconscious when taken to hospital, where he died.

To date, more than 10 men have been charged over their alleged involvement in the brawl.

The Deputy Public Prosecutor said Isrrat, a former bouncer at Club Rumours, was there to distribute his wedding invitation cards to the staff.

At 6am, as the club closed and patrons left, Isrrat and Shahrulnizam shouted vulgarities in Malay at Sharvin's group, The Strait Times report said.

Sharvin’s group confronted Isrrat while other also came at blows. Pushing and shoving ensued between both groups as they moved towards the open area in Kramat Lane, behind Concorde Shopping Mall. Sharvin then punched and kicked Isrrat, causing him to fall. An attacker took out a bread knife he had tucked into his pants and slashed Sharvin’s arm with it. He also slashed others in Sharvin’s group, the report said.

Isrrat's group then ran back into Concorde Shopping Mall, as members of Sharvin’s group chased them.

''Sharvin did not follow his group back into Concorde Shopping Mall as his arm was bleeding. He went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and lied about an injury, leading to his arrest,'' said DPP.

In her submissions, DPP Chu said that while Sharvin did not take part in the attack in Concorde Shopping Mall during which Isrrat was stabbed, the bruises on the victim’s forearms, neck, and head can be attributed to the actions of Sharvin and his co-accused.

Defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary urged the judge to note that the vulgarities used by Isrrat were “racially charged and highly derogatory." He added that his client fully cooperated in police investigations and has since dissociated himself from other group members.

Individuals who voluntarily cause harm can face imprisonment for up to three years, a $5,000 fine, or both.