Two Indian men jailed, caned for robbing and assaulting sex workers in Singapore hotels

According to The Straits Times, the offenders — Arokkiyasami Daison, 23, and Rajendran Mayilarasan, 27 — pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt during robbery.

The court heard that the duo arrived in Singapore on April 24 for a holiday.

Two days later, while walking through Little India, an unknown man approached them and offered contact details of two women providing sexual services.

Arokkiyasami then suggested to Rajendran that they rob the women in their hotel rooms as they needed money, to which Rajendran agreed.

Around 6 pm that day, they met the first victim in a hotel room, tied her hands and legs with clothing, and slapped her.

They made off with her jewellery, SGD 2,000 in cash, passport, and bank cards.

Later that night, around 11 pm, they arranged to meet another woman at a different hotel.

When she arrived, they grabbed her by the arms, and Rajendran covered her mouth to stop her from screaming.

They stole SGD 800 in cash, two mobile phones, and her passport, warning her not to leave the room until they returned.

Their crimes came to light the next day after the second victim confided in another man, who alerted the police.

During mitigation, both men, who were unrepresented, pleaded for leniency. Speaking through an interpreter, Arokkiyasami said, “My father passed away last year. I have three sisters, one of whom is married, and we have no money. That is why we did this.”

Rajendran added, “My wife and child are alone in India, and they are financially suffering.”

Under Singaporean law, those who voluntarily cause hurt while committing robbery face imprisonment of five to 20 years and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.